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AN    OFFERING 


ARDELIA    MARIA    BARTON 


SAN  FRANCISCO 

THE   MURDOCK    PRESS. 

1898 


Copyright  1898 
By  Ardelia  Maria  Barton 


TV    .I/)'    /•ViY/i'.VAs 


968491 


PREFACE 

I  claim  for  my  little  book  no  literary  merit; 
nor  have  I  striven  for  poetic  rhythm.  My  only 
wish  is,  that  it  may  find  a  responsive  chord  in 
your  heart,  and  that  some  comfort  may  be  found 
in  it  for  you. 

With  kindest  wishes, 

Yours, 
ARDELIA  MARIA  BARTON. 


SAN  FRANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA, 
December,  1898. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

MY  BOOK 13 

MY  WISH  FOR  You,  ONE  AND  ALL      15 

MY  PRAYER 17 

WRITE 18 

FRIENDSHIP'S  OFFERING       22 

To  A  BUTTERFLY 23 

THE  OLD  PINE-TREE .    .    .  25 

THE  LAW  AND  THE  GOSPEL 27 

Tin:  VOICES  OF  THE  NIGHT 28 

A  SATIRE 29 

THE  PAST 31 

TRACINGS  OF  DIVINITY 32 

ETERNITY 34 

THE  OLD  MAN'S  DREAM      35 

THE  SUNBEAM    ...              •  37 

A  FALSE  CLAIM 40 

FAITH 42 

HOPE    .    .              44 

CHARITY 46 

TO-DAY 48 

YESTERDAY 49 

TO-MORROW 52 

MORE    ,                                        54 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

LIFE 57 

WHAT? 60 

"SILENCE  Is  GOLDEN" 61 

THE  LITTLE  THINGS  OF  LIFE 64 

GOOD  ADVICE 66 

THE  THREADS  OF  LIFE 67 

STORMS  OF  LIFE 69 

THE  SUNSET  OF  LIFE 7* 

ODE  TO  THE  BUTTERCUP 74 

THE  MILESTONES  OF  LIFE 77 

DON'T  TALK  Too  MUCH 79 

THE  COUNTRY  GARDEN 81 

CHRISTMAS  GREETINGS 85 

COUNTRY  LIFE 86 

WHEN  OUR  SHIP  COMES  IN 88 

CONSECRATION 90 

WHAT  BABY  SAID 91 

SPRINGTIME 93 

"THE  LIVING  CHRIST" 96 

TRUTH 99 

CONTENT .  102 

DISCONTENT 104 

THE  SUNKEN  CONTINENT 106 

THE  DESTRUCTION  OF  POMPEII no 

THE  SWALLOWS'  PARTY 113 

THE  TIDE 117 

THE  LORD'S  PRAYER 119 

A  DROP  OF  WATER 123 

THE  BIRTH  OF  THE  EARTH 125 

10 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THE  BEGINNING  OF  MAN 128 

THE  SONG  OF  THE  KETTLE 131 

WELCOME  TO  "CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVORERS"  .   .  134 

THE  BLANK  PAGE 137 

THOUGHT-WEAVING 141 

SOUL  COMMUNION 145 

WARRING  OF  THE  ELEMENTS 148 

THE  FAITH  OF  Mv  MOTHER 150 

IMMORTALITY 154 

RIGHT 156 

PRAISE •       158 

QUESTION 160 

PANTHEISM 162 

"ETERNAL  CITY" 164 

THE  ANGEL  BOATMAN 166 

\\'K  KNOW  NOT  WHAT  A  DAY  WILL  BRING  FORTH  168 

To  AN  INVALID  FRIEND 171 

Too  LATE 173 

DIOGENES  MAY  STILL  SEARCH 175 

TURN  BACK 176 

JUSTICE 178 

MERCY 180 

LOVE 182 

HONESTY 184 

BEAR  YE  ONE  ANOTHER'S  BURDENS 187 

RESIGNATION 189 

NATURE'S  LAWS 194 

FRIENDSHIP 196 

THE  MISER'S  MISTAKE 198 

1 1 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

FREEDOM 200 

EXPERIENCE 203 

NEW  VERSION  OF  THE  SPIDKR  AND  FLY    .    .    .  205 

LIFE'S  POSSIBILITIES 207 

ALL  ALONE 209 

"WHY  SHOULD  I  LIVE?  ' 213 

REASON  CAME   ....          215 

REASON  SPAKE  UNTO  ME 217 

SUNSHINE  AND  SHADOW 219 

"AsK  WHAT  THOU  WILT" 223 

THE  TWIN  OAKS  OF  "SUNNY  BRAE" 225 

MY  DREAM 227 

STEP  OUT  OF  MY  SUNSHINE 228 

LOOKING-GLASS  REFLECTIONS 230 

MEMORIES 232 

A  MESSAGE 234 

IT  Is  FINISHED 236 

FINALE 237 


12 


MY  BOOK 


This  is  my  child  I  send  to  you  — 
\ot  as  a  beggar  will  he  cne-'- 
I pray  you  do  not  pass  him  by, 
.\'<>r  view  him  with  a  critic's  eye. 
His  faults,  I  know,  most  serious  are  ; 
Let  not  his  faults  Ins  beauty  mar. 
Now  take  him  to  your  loving  heart 
Ami  help  him  on  his  way  to  start ; 
Present  him  to  your  dearest  friend, 
Thus  nnio  him  good  aid  you  lend. 


MY  WISH  FOR    YOU,  ONE  AND  ALL. 

May  peace  and  love  fill  all  your  life, 

\o  grief  e'er  pierce  your  soul, 
May  rose  leaves  fall  upon  your  path, 

No  rue  be  in  the  bowl 
From  which  you  drink  the  wine  of  life, 

And  sip  its  joys  so  pure  ; 
No  scattered  hope,  nor  broken  dream 

Be  yours  e'er  to  endure. 


MY    PRAYER 

AN  offering  I  give  Thee,  Jehovah, 

An  offering  simple  and  pure, 
The  help  that  I  give  to  Thy  children 

Will  ever  and  ever  endure. 

To  Thee,  Lord,  belief  is  as  nothing, 
My  creed  Thou  carest  not  for; 

It 's  only  the  good  I  do  others, 
And  striving  to  keep  aye  Thy  law. 

My  God,  take  this  gift  of  pure  love-deeds, 
Oh,  take  this  offering  I  give; 

I  ever  belong  to  Thee,  Father, 

Will  sing  e'er  Thy  praise  while  I  live. 


WRITE 

TAKE  thy  pen  and  write,  O  man! 

Chronicle  thy  .every  thought; 
Hath  to  thee  been  life  all  joy  ? 

Hath  this  world  all  pleasure  wrought? 

If  before  thou  cam'st  to  earth, 

.  Knowing  what  thou  knowest  now, 
Free  to  choose,  to  be,  or  not, 
To  life's  problems  wouldst  thou  bow? 

Wouldst  thou  think  the  gift  a  boon  ? 

It  with  thankfulness  accept  ? 
Or,  wouldst  say,  O  Lord,  me  spare ! 

/must  weep,  for  man  hath  wept. 

Dost  thou  think  that  life  is  sweet  ? 

Dost  thou  think  its  joys  are  more 
Than  its  griefs  and  misery? 

Hast  thy  bark  ne'er  touched  bleak  shore? 

»  »  ••-*•« 

18 


WRITE 

Stranded,  hath  it  never  been  ? 

Thy  sweet  hopes  forever  lost  ? 
Wrecked  thy  bark  on  shoals  by  storms, 

On  rough  sea  of  life  been  tossed? 

Is  the  wind  and  tide  with  thee? 

And  is  life  without  a  tear? 
Manned  is  bark  with  happiness? 

Have  thy  skies  been  ever  clear? 

Dost  thou  bless  thy  natal  day? 

Long'st  thou  not  for  day  of  death? 
Willing,  thee,  to  e'er  live  on, 

Blessing  God  that  thou  hast  breath  ? 

Then,  to  thee,  is  life  a  joy, 

Blessed  heritage  of  peace 
Was  bequeathed  to  thee  by  Love, 

God  gave  unto  you  the  lease. 


WRITE 

Write  I  will,  in  book  of  life, 

Trace  my  thoughts  with  fadeless  ink, 
With  a  pen  of  gold  will  write; 

Into  hearts  my  words  may  sink. 

Born  to  earth,  I  wished  it  not; 

Earth  condition  knew  not  I, 
And  its  griefs  and  misery ; 

Ne'er  asked  I  the  reason  why. 

I  am  here;  will  do  my  work, 
Even  though  life  stranded  be, 

E'en  though  storms  beset  my  way, 
Wrecked  my  ship  on  life's  rough  sea. 

Sunshine,  aye,  I  look  not  for, 
Wind  and  tide  are  often  wrong 

For  my  ship  to  leave  its  port; 

Sad,  yea,  mournful,  is  life's  song. 

But  I  love,  and  I  am  loved, 

Hope  is  strong  within  my  heart, 

Courage,  too;  I  '11  stem  the  tide, 
In  the  world  do  well  my  part. 

20 


WRITE 

Tears  are  shed.     Then  why  should  I 
E'er  from  care  and  grief  be  free? 

I  must  live,  though  oft  I  weep, 
Do  my  work,  whate'er  it  be. 

Born  of  Love  —  O  blessed  thought! 

Earth  conditions  I  can  bear; 
God  is  Love,  in  Him  I  live, 

Utter  plaint  I  will  not  dare. 

Sail  I  will  my  ship  of  life, 

Steer  it  over  shoals  and  rocks, 

Bring  it  safely  into  port, 

It  will  bear  all  storms  and  shocks, 

When,  at  last,  Life's  dream  is  o'er, 
Time  —  true  censor  —  takes  his  flight, 

Death,  as  Captain  of  my  fleet, 
In  his  Log  my  life  will  write. 


21 


FRIENDSHIP'S    OFFERING 

THE  soul  of  the  flower  is  its  fragrance, 

The  life  of  the  flower  its  bloom. 
They  bring  unto  friends  sweet  remembrance, 

Thus  weaving  a  web  on  Love's  loom. 

Then  send  to  your  loved  ones  violets, 
So  fresh  with  the  bright  morning  dew; 

For  flowers  are  ever  best  tokens 
Of  greeting,  and  also  adieu. 

They  speak  to  our  hearts  such  dear  love-notes, 

As  not  else  on  earth  can  convey ; 
They  breathe  e'er  the  tenderest  music 

From  heaven  and  angels  alway. 

Then  send  to  your  friend  sweet  violets, 
Their  breath  fills  the  room  and  my  heart, 

Their  perfume  for  days  linger  round  me, 
And  seem  of  my  life  e'en  a  part. 

22 


TO    A    BUTTERFLY 

Ri  MKMBEREST  thou,  O  butterfly, 

Aught  of  thy  former  life? 
Thy  struggle  in  thy  narrow  home, 

The  effort  and  the  strife 
To  break  thy  bonds,  and  fly  aloft 

To  joys  the  flowers  among; 
To  show  thy  new  adornings  gay, 

And  list  to  songs  now  sung? 

O  butterfly,  canst  tell  me  aught 

Of  place  and  former  things? 
Canst  tell  me  if  thou  ever  dreamed 

Of  state  with  brilliant  wings? 
Is  life  to  thee  now  heaven  high  ? 

Wast  former  state  thy  earth? 
Is  joyous  now  all  thy  life, 

Sweet  joy  in  thy  new  birth? 

23 


TO    A    BUTTERFLY 

Hast  yet,  again,  another  home? 

Hast  soul,  O  butterfly  ? 
To  heaven  wilt  thou  rejoicing  go, 

Or  wilt  thou  droop  and  die  ? 
O  gay  and  happy  butterfly, 

We  joy  in  life  so  bright, 
We  ask  for  thee  a  place  beyond, 

Again  thou  'It  see  the  light; 

Among  the  brighter  flowers  will  flit, 
And  yet  in  brighter  dress, 

And  pretty,  joyous  butterfly, 
That  ev'ry  sphere  you  '11  bless. 


24 


THE   OLD    PINE-TREE 

BARDS  sing  of  the  oak  and  the  clinging  vine, 
But  better  love  I  the  old  rugged  pine; 
I  watched,  in  the  past,  its  long  needles  fall, 
While  listening  then  to  the  robin's  call. 
No  place  on  this  earth  half  so  dear  to  me 
As  where  I  oft  sat  'neath  the  old  pine-tree; 
Oh,  many  the  dreams  which  came  never  true, 
So  many  the  plans  I  was  wont  to  woo. 

E'en  now  as  I  think  of  the  pine-tree  hills 
Their  subtle,  rich  fragrance  my  being  thrills; 
E'er  thinking  and  dreaming  of  fragrant  pine, 
Old  memories  dear  will  my  heart  entwine. 
And  also  the  schoolhouse  by  babbling  brook, 
Where  struggled  I  over  a  tattered  book; 
The  schoolmaster  standing  with  rod  in  hand, 
At  us  he  would  point  for  aye  with  his  wand. 

25 


THE    OLD    PINE-TREE 

Though  that  the  true  road  e'er  to  fame   and 

wealth, 
We  glanced  from   our  books  now  and  then  by 

stealth; 

When  came  our  recess  we  rushed  with  a  will 
To  spicy  pine-tree  that  stood  on  the  hill. 
Long  years  have  now  passed,  the  master  is  dead, 
New  generations  the  pine  woods  e'er  thread, 
But  when  I  look  back,  round  heart  doth  entwine 
The  memories  dear  of  the  rugged  pine. 


26 


THE   LAW   AND   THE   GOSPEL 

ETERNAL  activity,  needing  no  rest; 
Eternal  progression  is  our  behest. 

Eternally  doing  for  every  man ; 
Eternally  helping  every  clan. 

Eternal  peace  and  always  joy; 
Eternal  love  without  alloy. 

Eternally  teaching  and  being  taught; 
Eternally  seeking  and  being  sought. 

Eternal  sunshine,  eternal  life, 
Eternal  peace,  and  never  strife. 


27 


THE   VOICES   OF   THE   NIGHT 

THE  wind  comes  chanting  a  love-song, 
The  waves  respond  with  a  sigh, 

The  whippoorwill  laughs  at  the  wooing, 
A  nightingale  sings  near  by. 

A  cricket  sits  on  its  hearth-rug, 
And  listens  to  frog's  hoarse  cry, 

A  firefly  stops  now  in  passing, 
To  give  a  loving  good-by. 

A  woodpecker  stops  his  pecking 

And  hearkens  to  squirrel's  low  chirp, 

A  cow  in  meadow  is  lowing, 

That  none  her  place  may  usurp. 

The  clock  in  belfry  is  striking 
The  hour  for  tired  man  to  rest, 

The  wind  gives  a  farewell  greeting 
To  bird  in  its  downy  nest. 

28 


A   SATIRE 

A  RICH  man  knelt  in  his  cushioned  seat,— 
"O  Lord!  a  blessing  I  crave; 

Oh,  make  me  humble,  and  meek,  and  just, 
From  mammon  worship,  oh,  save!" 

He  was  next  day  in  his  counting-house, 
Not  just,  not  humble — a  knave; 

His  God  was  money;   his  prayer,  wealth, 
And  ready  all  to  enslave. 

Came  in  a  woman  all  clothed  in  rags  — 
"I  pray  thee,  sir,  to  take  heed; 

My  wants  are  many,  my  poverty  great, 
Oh,  list,  dear  sir,  to  my  need!" 

With  scowl  on  brow  he  ordered  her  out. 

"For  thee  I  've  nothing,  nor  thine, 
In  debt  is  church,  minister  unpaid, 

We  're  out  of  communion  wine. 


29 


A    SATIRE 

"This  month  we  also  to  heathen  send 
Some  help,  their  souls  we  must  save; 

With  this  to  do,  how  can  you  expect 
A  gift,  with  matters  so  grave." 

The  week  around  rolled.     Again  he  kneeled, 
The  man,  in  rich-cushioned  seat, — 

"I  give  Thee,  dear  Lord,  all  my  heart,"- 
Outside  was  deep  snow  and  sleet. 

Oh,  hark  to  sound  of  funeral  knell! 

The  woman  felt  not  the  cold; 
She  'd  passed  beyond  all  troubles  of  earth, 

The  man  was  counting  his  gold. 


THE   PAST 

THE  dead  past  must  bury  its  dead, 
We  need  its  teachings  nevermore, 

Progression  is  the  law  of  God, 
The  past  is  but  a  sealed-up  door. 


TRACINGS   OF    DIVINITY 

THE  storm-clouds  break,  the  sun  bursts  forth, 
In  heaven's  dome  there  is  a  bright  bow, 

With  colors  soft  it  spans  the  sky, 
Divinity's  tracings  doth  show. 

On  rush  the  rivers,  after  storms, 

Their  tracks  show  presence  of  a  foe; 

But  now  the  sky  becomes  more  bright, 
And  tracings  of  Divinity  show. 

All  nature  smiles  with  gratitude, 

The  trees  and  flowers  will  now  grow, 

The  grass  doth  seem  to  smile  with  joy, 
And  tracings  of  Divinity  show. 

The  birds  and  beasts  with  joy  come  forth, 
And  man  most  surely  doth  know, 

Though  vile  and  sinful  he  may  be, 
Divinity's  tracings  doth  show. 

32 


TRACINGS    OF    DIVINITY 

On  things  above,  on  things  below, 

The  sun,  the  clouds,  the  rain,  the  snow, 

Great  Artist,  God,  placed  stamp,  I  know, 
For  tracings  of  Divinity  show. 

Now  into  home  hath  stepped  grim  Death, 

Amidst  all  misery  and  woe; 
He  takes  the  household  darling  now, 

Stamps  brow  with  Divinity's  glow. 

Now  joy  hath  come  unto  us  all, 
With  happiness  our  faces  glow; 

On  brow,  on  eyes,  on  lips,  on  cheek, 
Divinity's  tracings  doth  show. 


33 


ETERNITY 

ETERNITY'S  before  us  all, 

And  man  doth  rise,  instead  of  fall; 

We  hope  for  glory  unsurpassed, 

Supernal  heights  we'll  reach  at  last; 

Perfection  is  as  far  away 

As  protoplasm  from  man  to-day. 


34 


THE   OLD   MAN'S    DREAM 

BY  fireside  so  bright,  an  old  man  sat, 

Was  thinking  of  all  his  life  past; 
Mistakes  he  had  made,  work  left  undone, 

And  he  with  his  life  was  aghast. 

But  yet  I  have  time,  he  thought  and  dreamed, 

Although  I  am  sixty  and  ten, 
Quite  often  are  given  an  hundred  years, 

To  hardy  and  healthy  men. 

But  where  to  begin,  what  to  do  first. 

Is  troubling  and  puzzling  me  sore; 
I  ought  be  content  with  life  well  spent, 

But  yet  there  is  time,  I  am  sure. 

Next  year  I  '11  begin,  the  old  man  dreamed, 
A  smile  then  lit  up  his  pale  brow, 

But  now  I  will  rest,  for  God  knows  best, 
And  all  will  be  right  yet,  I  trow. 

35 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    DREAM 

The  old  man  was  dead  when  next  year  came, 
The  work  he  had  planned  still  undone; 

He  died  with  a  smile,  never  a  dread 
But  that  all  his  work  would  be  done. 


THE   SUNBEAM 

A  SUNBEAM  in  my  window  looked 

And  danced  upon  the  floor, 
Around  the  corners  then  it  peeped, 

Then  glided  out  the  door. 

It  lovingly  my  forehead  touched, 

It  shyly  kissed  my  cheek, 
It  slyly  nestled  in  my  hair, 

On  lips  played  hide-and-seek. 

I  beg  thy  rays  will  linger  now 
And  make  their  home  with  me, 

With  gladness  they  would  fill  my  heart, 
And  joy  forever  be. 

Most  hearty  welcome  now  I  give, 

Join  in  thy  happy  glee, 
O  merry  sunbeam,  thee,  I  pray, 

To  stay  awhile  with  me. 

37 


THE    SUNBEAM 

But  other  visits  you  may  have 
To  make  in  homes  of  pain; 

Then,  merry  sunbeam,  you  must  go, 
And  long  may  you  remain. 

Or  in  at  prisons'  grating  dark, 
You  '11  give  a  ray  of  hope 

To  sinner  who  is  lying  there, 
And  with  his  sins  must  cope. 

'Twill  speak  to  him  of  pardon  sweet, 

Yet  magnify  his  crime, 
To  him  may  whisper  message  dear, 

And  thoughts  of  God  sublime. 

Perhaps  a  seed  in  darkness  waits, 

It  cannot  raise  its  head 
Until  the  sun  sends  forth  a  ray, 

And  light  upon  it  shed. 

Upon  the  seed's  dark  resting-place, 

Upon  its  mother  earth, 
And  with  a  smile  of  loving  warmth, 

Invites  it  to  new  birth. 


THE    SUNBEAM 

The  bud  was  resting  upon  the  tree, 
Its  cheek  so  pale  and  wan, 

The  sun  with  love  then  kissed  its  face, 
It  blushed,  and  soon  began 

To  woo  the  bird  and  honey-bee 

To  rest  beneath  the  shade 
Of  branches  wide,  and  fragrant,  too, 

And  'neath  the  evergreen  glade. 

The  fruit  put  forth  a  beckoning  hand, 
And  begged  the  sun  to  stay 

One  moment,  just  to  warm  its  heart, 
Then  come  again  next  day. 

The  little  beam  began  to  think 

Much  work  it  had  to  do, 
So  hid  its  face  behind  a  cloud, 

And  bade  them  all  adieu. 


39 


A   FALSE   CLAIM 

A  WORM  I  will  not  claim  to  be, 

Nor  glory  in  that  thought; 
I  have  a  mission  here  on  earth, 

A  work  that  must  be  wrought. 

We  all  are  sent,  we  all  have  work, 

This  work  must  be  done  well; 
There's  naught  too  small,  nor  yet  too  poor, 

When  given  us  to  tell. 

So  do  the  work  that 's  given  to  you, 

And  do  it  with  a  will; 
None  other  quite  can  fill  your  place, 

And  do  your  Master's  will. 

Then  hold  the  place  God  made  for  you, 

The  worm  will  do  its  work; 
Claim  not  its  home  down  in  the  dust, 

Nor  any  duties  shirk. 

40 


A    FALSE    CLAIM 

So  stand  erect,  you  cannot  crawl, 

The  worm,  too,  is  a  thought, 
And  just  as  needful  in  the  whole, 

And  by  him  work  is  wrought. 

Then  fill  your  nook,  and  do  not  crawl, 

Nor  wish  to  claim  the  place 
Of  some  poor,  little,  crawling  worm, 

Nor  think  the  claim  is  grace. 

The  worm  doth  need  so  small  a  space, 

It  seems  most  selfish  to  me, 
That  man  with  might  should  claim  the  right 

A  dusty  worm  to  be. 


FAITH 

HAVE  faith  in  your  power  to  do, 
Have  faith  in  the  rise  of  the  race, 

Have  faith  in  the  ultimate  good, 

Your  faith  with  the  age  e'er  keep  pace. 

Have  faith  that  the  mercy  of  God 
Allows  you  to  live  your  own  life, 

Depending  not  ever  on  Him, 

Attaining  your  goal  e'er  by  strife. 

Have  faith  in  your  fellow-man  e'er, 
He's  doing  the  best  that  he  can, — 

Perhaps  by  your  having  this  faith, 
Already  new  life  he  's  began. 

Have  faith  that  in  seeking  for  good, 
And  holding  it  fast  when  it 's  found, 

By  gaining  this  good  by  yourself, 
Rough  corners  of  life  you  will  round. 

42 


FAITH 


Have  faith  in  a  life  beyond  this, 

That  in  it  you  '11  find  the  right  place, 

That  then  you  '11  be  known  as  you  are, 
That  every  mistake  you  must  face. 


43 


HOPE 

WERE  there  not  hope,  the  heart  would  break, 

Was  spoken  long  ago; 
O  blessed  Hope,  thou  gift  of  love, 

Thou  enemy  of  woe! 

The  storm  hath  burst  in  all  its  force, 

We  hope  the  clouds  will  break, 
The  sun  comes  forth,  the  clouds  disperse, 

All  lives  with  joy  awake. 

We  've  lost  our  all  of  worldly  goods, 

We  hope  that  soon  again 
Another  chance  be  given  us, 

Our  fortune  to  regain. 

We've  lain  so  long  on  bed  of  pain, 

That  hope  is  almost  dead, 
Grim  death  has  taken  our  beloved. 

And  to  the  grave  him  led. 


44 


HOPE 

We've  lost  our  friend  through  vile  deceit, 

We  hope  for  peace  again, 
That  love  will  come  to  us  anew, 

Lost  friendship  we'll  regain. 

0  Hope,  so  strong!   O  Hope,  so  dear! 
I  claim  thee  as  a  friend, 

1  '11  clasp  thee  ever  to  my  heart, 

And  hold  thee  to  the  end. 

Hope,  lovely  flower,  bloom  ever  on 

In  hearts,  in  homes,  in  lives; 
If  not  for  hope,  how  drear  this  earth, — 

It  ever  with  us  strives. 

Sweet  Hope,  go  visit  homes  of  grief, 

Go  visit  homes  of  death; 
Thy  presence  there  will  bring  sweet  peace, 

And  also  bring  a  breath 

Of  fragrant  perfume  from  the  skies, 

And  peace  and  joy  to  earth; 
O  Hope,  thou  benefactor  great, 

In  hearts  e'er  have  new  birth. 


45 


CHARITY 

SWEET  Charity  thinketh  no  evil, 
Nor  doth  it  unseemly  behave, 

Nor  of  its  good  deeds  e'er  it  vaunteth, 
Nor  of  its  high  honor  doth  rave. 

It  ever  sees  good  in  its  neighbor, 
Finds  ever  excuse  for  his  sin, 

Wilt  pity  his  every  transgression, 
And  ever  to  good  try  to  win. 

It  meaneth  not  only  the  giving 

Of  help  from  abundance  of  wealth; 

It  meaneth  shed  tears  with  the  mourner, 
It  meaneth  e'er  giving  by  stealth. 

True  charity  e'er  is  so  quiet, 

That  never  the  right  hand  doth  know 
Whatever  the  left  hand  is  doing, 

It  never  of  gifts  maketh  show. 

46 


CHARITY 

It  waits  not  for  other's  suggestions, 

But  ever  is  watching  to  do, 
And  render  good  aid  to  its  brother, 

And  never  its  actions  can  rue. 

True  charity,  then,  let  us  live  for, 
It 's  better  than  faith,  or  e'en  hope, 

And  living  its  precepts  forever, 
With  evil  we  ever  can  cope. 

O  Charity!  sweetest  of  sisters, 

Though  like  unto  Faith,  Hope,  and  Love, 
Thy  parents  were  angels  of  mercy, 

Thy  birth  in  the  heavens  above. 


47 


TO-DAY 

TO-DAY  alone  belongs  to  thee, 
Its  joys,  too,  if  any  there  be; 
Thou  never  canst  the  past  recall, 
It's  hidden  by  a  solid  wall 

Which  never  can  be  broken  down, 
E'en  though  it  be  to  win  a  crown; 
Sad  mem'ries  e'er  round  it  throng, 
All  pain  and  grief  you  've  borne  full  long 

To-day  is  yours,  it 's  all  your  own, 
It  stands  out  ever  free,  alone; 
To-day  do  all  the  good  you  can, 
Your  life  is  short,  is  but  a  span. 

To-day  your  hopes  are  high  and  bright, 
There  is  no  darkness,  only  light; 
The  past  is  dead,  and  buried,  too, 
To-day  is  all  there  is  for  you. 

48 


YESTERDAY 

OUR  lives  are  made  of  yesterdays, 

In  crazy  patchwork  style; 
Here  is  a  bit  from  childhood  days, 

When  hearts  could  know  no  guile. 

This  is  a  piece  from  memory's  store, 

A  thought  of  friend  long  lost, 
And  this  is  a  memento  dear, 

And  is  by  stitches  crossed, 

So  complex  and  so  devious, 

We  scarce  can  see  the  sheen, 
Some  colors  dark,  dark  ashen  hues, 

And  some  from  hope  we  glean. 

The  stitches  oft  are  strange  and  weird, 

Some  tarnished  are,  and  dull, 
And  some  are  stained  by  tears  we'  ve  shed, 

And  some  with  joy  we  cull. 

49 


YESTERDAY 

A  friend  gave  this  from  out  her  life, 

And  this,  from  foeman  now; 
This  from  a  piece-bag  taken  is, 

And  will  much  thought  allow. 

Great  wealth  seemed  sure  on  yesterday, 

We  could  not  grasp  the  gold, 
For  quickly  it  eluded  us, 

Passed  ever  from  our  hold. 

Kind  words  we  might  have  spoken  once: 

We  harsh  ones  gave  instead, 
O  yesterday,  come  back  again  — 

But  now  our  friend  is  dead. 

On  yestermorn  she  died,  alas! 

She  died  with  broken  heart, 
Left  me  in  sorrow  and  deep  grief, 

I  in  her  death  had  part. 

Once  Fame  stood  long  my  threshold  near,. 

She  saw  an  angry  face, 
So  rushed  away  affrighted  then, 

Of  her  I  have  no  trace. 


YESTERDAY 

Then  Honor  in  my  window  looked, 

At  golden  yestermorn; 
I  turned  my  back  upon  her,  too, 

Now  she  doth  turn  with  scorn. 

Away  from  all  my  pleading  turns, 
And  from  allurements  strong, 

I  never  shall  again  her  see, 
Lost,  she,  in  mad'ning  throng. 

Love  sat  with  me  all  yesterday, 
And  Happiness,  too,  was  there; 

To-day  are  both  a  journey  gone, 
Have  left  me  in  despair. 

How  sad  the  thought  of  yesterday, 

Its  joys  forever  gone, 
Left  only  grief  and  anguish  deep, 

Long  night  with  never  dawn. 

Then  let  us  bury  yesterday, 
All  wrapped  in  pall  of  black, 

All  we  can  fathom  is  to-day, 
We  ne'er  can  past  call  back. 


TO-MORROW 

OH,  what  is  to-morrow? 

It's  the  ghost  of  to-day; 
We  grasp  at  the  phantom, 

It  dissolves  then  straightway. 

We  look  for  its  coming, 

But  it  never  is  here, 
We  watch  for  to-morrow 

With  such  deep,  anxious  fear. 

To-day  is  ours  ever, 

But  to-morrow  is  not; 
Then  hold  to  the  present, 

That  our  work  may  be  wrought. 

The  wise  man  to-morrow 

Is  the  fool  of  to-day; 
The  wise  man  will  borrow 

Of  the  fool  of  next  day. 

52 


TO-MORROW 

Then  live  in  the  present, 
For  it 's  all  we  can  know; 

The  past  and  the  future 

Are  dark  phantoms  of  woe. 


53 


MORE 

SEEMS  much  too  small  what  we  have, 

We  want  a  little  more, 
So  work  and  delve  without  rest, 

Are  grasping  ever  more. 
At  each  new  plan  for  power, 

At  each  device  or  thought, 
We  wish  that  more  were  coming, 

That  more  could  now  be  wrought. 

More  wealth,  more  land,  more  houses, 

More  fame,  more  honor  yet, 
Forever  are  we  seeking, 

We  want  all  we  can  get. 
More  joy  we  want,  more  pleasure, 

More  influence,  more  gold, 
We  like  to  roam  the  world  all  o'er, 

Our  wants  are  manifold. 


54 


MORE 

We  have  a  life  too  active, 

We  ever  sigh  for  rest, 
We  think  our  life  too  peaceful, 

So  like  activity  best. 
We  keep  a  horse  and  carriage, 

So  better  like  to  walk; 
We  can  indite  an  essay, 

But  would  much  rather  talk. 

We  have  the  chance  to  travel, 

We  want  to  stay  at  home; 
If  we  at  home  have  to  stay, 

We  ever  want  to  roam. 
Our  home  is  in  the  city, 

The  country  we  prefer; 
If  home  is  in  the  country, 

At  quiet  we  demur. 

Our  home  is  on  the  ocean, 
We  better  like  the  land; 

Our  home  is  on  the  mountain, 
We  better  like  the  strand. 

We  ever  more  are  wanting, 
And  something  we  have  not, 

55 


MORE 

For  man  is  ne'er  contented. 
Whatever  be  his  lot. 

His  home  is  in  the  tropics, 

He  likes  the  frigid  zone; 
If  he  has  many  neighbors, 

He  'd  rather  be  alone. 
Man  e'er  has  wants  so  many, 

He 's  always  wanting  more, 
Content  will  he  be  never, 

So  long  as  there  is  more. 


LIFE 

DOWN  the  creek  coming, 
Drifting  with  the  tide, 

May  peace  and  gladness 
E'er  with  you  abide. 

Watching  the  coming 
Of  a  bark  or  boat, 

Sails  all  unfurled  now, 
Gracefully  they  float. 

Into  port  speeding, 
Soon  her  anchor  falls, 

All  her  sails  filling, 
Now  the  Captain  calls. 

Throw  out  her  anchor, 
Take  in  every  sail, 

Fasten  the  rudder, 

Now  the  boatswain  hail. 

57 


LIFE 

Sailing  the  ocean, 

Far  away  at  sea, 
Dreaming  of  loved  ones, 

Lost  fore'er  to  me. 

Climbing  the  mountains, 
Rugged,  bleak,  and  drear, 

Crossing  o'er  rivers, 
Quicksands  ever  near. 

Riding  o'er  deserts, 
In  the  burning  sun, 

No  food  nor  water, 
Nothing  can  be  done. 

Crossing  the  marshes, 
Sinking  deep  in  mire, 

Dashing  o'er  prairie, 
The  grass  is  on  fire. 

Doing  our  life  work, 

Struggling  with  our  cares, 
Ever  in  pathway, 

Are  pitfalls  and  snares. 

58 


LIFE 

Sinking  in  weakness, 
Old  age  drawing  near, 

Nothing  accomplished, 
Death  brings  but  a  tear. 

Heights  now  ascending, 
The  grave  not  our  home, 

Angels  receive  us, 
No  longer  we  roam. 


59 


WHAT? 

OH,  what  the  all  soul  of  our  being  ? 

The  good  is  the  God  of  our  thought. 
Oh,  where  is  the  home  of  the  spirit? 

The  home  is  the  place  we  have  wrought. 

Oh,  what  is  the  thought  of  the  spirit, 

Its  essence,  its  ether,  its  me  ? 
It  ever  has  been,  there's  no  ending, 

Been  always,  and  ever  will  be. 

Oh,  what  is  the  dress  of  the  spirit  ? 

We're  clothed  with  the  deeds  of  our  life, 
Our  robes  will  be  white  and  resplendent, 

By  living  in  peace,  and  not  strife. 


60 


"SILENCE   IS   GOLDEN" 

How  deep  the  voice  of  silence, 
It  through  us  ever  thrills, 

We  ever  hear  the  singing, 
Of  rivers,  brooks,  and  rills. 

All  space  with  life  is  teeming, 

We  listen  to  the  sound 
Of  hearts  to  hearts  pulsating, 

For  life  to  life  is  bound 

By  chains  that  we  are  forging, 
By  cords  we  cannot  break, 

By  ties  of  purest  friendship, 

That  naught  on  earth  can  shake. 

Oh,  then  is  silence  golden, 
More  potent  e'en  than  sound, 

We  ever  sense  a  presence 
In  all  the  world  around. 

61 


"  SILENCE    IS    GOLDEN" 

The  wind  a  song  is  singing, 

The  waves  doth  sound  a  dirge, 

A  funeral  march  e'er  playing, 
As  back  and  forth  they  surge. 

The  earth  with  life  is  throbbing, 
But  atoms  are  mankind, 

E'er  tossed  upon  life's  ocean, 
By  every  breath  of  wind. 

All  nature's  laws  are  holy, 
All  nature's  laws  are  grand, 

And  all  of  life  is  helping, 
The  great  Creator's  band. 

The  band  is  ever  playing, 
A  symphony  most  sweet, 

The  strings  are  touched  by  angels, 
The  drums  by  gods  are  beat. 

The  keys  are  struck  by  spirits, 
The  bugles  sounded  are 

By  nature's  strongest  forces, 
And  ne'er  doth  discord  mar 


62 


"SILENCE    IS    GOLDEN" 

Or  grate  upon  our  senses, 
The  melody  doth  lure, 

For  perfect  is  the  leader, 
And  rhythm  ever  pure. 


THE   LITTLE   THINGS   OF   LIFE 

MADE  up  is  life  from  little  things, 

The  sea  from  water-drops, 
The  mountains  made  from  grains  of  sand, 

The  wheel  of  time  ne'er  stops. 

A  little  word  can  break  a  heart, 

And  little  thoughts  go  fast; 
A  little  smile  do  well  its  part, 

And  angry  frowns  will  last. 

Our  lives  may  have  but  little  love, 

Our  homes  but  little  cheer, 
Which  writes  despair  on  weary  hearts, 

And  grieves  the  one  most  dear. 

The  little  things  of  life  are  great 

When  magnified  by  grief, 
And  little  things  oft  have  much  weight, 

In  life,  may  seem  the  chief. 

64 


THE    LITTLE    THINGS    OF    LIFE 

Great  troubles  we  with  courage  face, 
E'en  sometimes  smile  at  pain; 

Though  weary  oft  in  life's  great  race, 
We  all  should  try  again. 

But  little  slights  and  little  steps 
Grow  great  as  time  goes  on, 

Until  the  burden  seems  too  great, 
And  all  our  peace  is  gone. 

Take  up  the  burdens  of  your  life, 
Nor  scorn  the  little  things, 

For  we  are  fitted  for  the  strife  — 
When  finished,  joy  it  brings. 


GOOD    ADVICE 

To  HAVE  a  happy  wedded  life, 
Good  rules  these  three  you'll  find; 

Be  sometimes  deaf,  be  sometimes  dumb, 
And  nearly  always  blind. 


66 


THE    THREADS    OF    LIFE 

Now  one  by  one  we  pick  them  up, 

And  weave  them  on  life's  loom; 
Some  strands  we  take  are  very  weak, 

We  weave  them  for  the  tomb. 
Some  threads  are  dyed  by  ignorance, 

Some  strong  as  error's  chain, 
By  kindness  many  threads  we  've  spun, 

And  these  are  not  in  vain. 

We  pick  some  threads  from  knowledge  deep, 

And  some  are  broken  ends, 
And  some  we '  ve  brought  from  childhood's  store, 

And  some  with  envy  trends. 
Some  threads  we  weave  into  a  chain 

So  strong  that  naught  can  break, 
These  threads  are  love-deeds  done  on  earth, 

And  naught  these  strands  can  shake. 

67 


THE    THREADS    OF    LIFE 

We  card  and  spin,  and  ever  weave 

The  fabric  of  this  life  ; 
Some  of  the  cloth  which  we  do  \veaver 

Is  soiled  by  malice  rife. 
A  lesson  we  ought  all  to  learn, 

To  pick  life's  threads  with  care, 
Or  else  the  cloth  imperfect  is, 

And  heavy  e'er  to  bear. 


68 


STORMS   OF   LIFE 

CLOUDS  are  needed  in  our  life-work, 
And  storms  are  needed,  too; 

Should  there  only  be  bright  sunshine, 
How  little  could  we  do. 

In  our  lives  is  needed  friction, 
'T  will  round  the  corners  sharp, 

Strengthen  souls  for  all  their  duties, 
E'en  though  the  world  may  carp. 

Know  we  not  the  strength  within  us 
Until  the  storm-clouds  break  ; 

Fight  the  battles  of  life  ever, 
And  from  their  night  awake. 

Storms  of  life  are  ever  needed  — 

Be  still,  the  sun  will  break 
Through  the  clouds  of  inky  blackness, 

And  we  in  peace  awake. 

69 


STORMS    OF    LIFE 

Life  without  a  cloud-burst  ever 
Most  weak  would  be,  indeed, 

Scarcely  worth  the  living  ever, 
For  storms  we  e'er  do  need. 

After  storms  comes  blessed  sunshine, 

And  flowers  after  rain, 
Sweet  the  air,  and  also  fragrant, 

For  storms  are  not  in  vain. 

Joyful  welcome  earth  gives  ever 
To  wind,  to  storm  and  rain; 

Grateful  then  should  man  be  ever 
For  storms,  though  they  be  pain. 


70 


THE   SUNSET   OF   LIFE 

THE  sunset  of  life  is  its  morning; 

We  rise  then  on  wings  of  bright  light, 
We  put  on  the  garments  of  gladness, 

All  beautiful,  shining  and  bright. 

We've  builded  our  home  here  in  earth  life; 

Have  we  built  it  strong  and  secure? 
Have  been  all  our  works  deeds  of  kindness, 

Which  only  can  stand  or  endure? 

The  sunset  of  life  is  its  rising, 

It  rises  in  rose-tinted  sky; 
The  work  left  unfinished  at  evening, 

We'll  take  up  again  by  and  by. 

With  strength  and  with  wisdom  combining, 
With  Justice  and  Love  at  the  head, 

Divorcing  not  one  from  the  other, 
Cementing  them  stronger  instead. 


THE  SUNSET  OF   LIFE 

The  sunset  of  life  is  its  glory; 

The  sun  again  rises  next  morn 
With  grandeur  and  beauty  surpassing, 

E'en  laughing  the  sunset  to  scorn. 

As  higher  and  higher  it  rises, 
The  burdens  of  day  we  take  up; 

The  spirit  at  times  seems  to  weaken, 
As  dregs  of  deep  sorrow  we  sup. 

The  shadows  of  day  seem  to  linger, 
And  longer  and  longer  they  grow, 

Till  death,  the  true  friend  of  the  weary, 
Lights  face  with  a  sunset-bright  glow. 

Instead  of  good-night,  'tis  good-morning, 

Instead  of  a  tear,  it's  a  smile, 
The  soul  is  now  born  into  glory, 

Which  budded  and  blossomed  erstwhile. 

Then  let  us  all  watch  for  the  sunset, 
We  know  what  deep  joy  it  will  bring, 

And  know  with  what  peace  and  what  gladness 
We  're  learning  an  anthem  to  sing, 

72 


THE  SUNSET  OF   LIFE 

From  God,  our  dear  Father  in  heaven, 
Within  though  this  heaven  must  be, 

Within,  must  His  will  be  forever, 
The  song  then  is  peace  unto  thee. 

The  sunset  of  life  we  e'er  long  for, 
The  sunset  of  life  is  its  day; 

The  sunset  of  life  is  all  gladness, 
E'er  pointing  to  bright,  happy  way. 


73 


ODE   TO   THE    BUTTERCUP 

O  PRETTY  yellow  Buttercup, 

With  face  of  satin  sheen, 
With  slender  stem  to  hold  thy  head, 

And  leaves  of  emerald  green ! 

Where  first  didst  thou  e'er  see  the  light? 

When  first  thy  birthday  morn? 
Thou  greetest  me  on  every  plain  — 

Dost  thrive  on  every  lawn? 
From  Maine  to  California 

Thy  lovely  face  is  seen, 
Thy  golden  petals  e'er  the  same, 

And  leaves  of  shining  green. 

Perchance  some  feathered  songster  sweet, 

Thy  seed  did  carry  o'er 
The  hillside  and  the  valley  green, 

The  sunny  brae  and  moor. 

74 


ODE  TO  THE   BUTTERCUP 

In  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
If  e'er  beginning  there  was, 

Perhaps  in  loving-kindness  God 
Did  send  thee  forth  with  laws, 


To  beautify  and  shower  all 

This  earth  with  thy  bright  face, 
To  give  to  all  His  creatures  joy, 

And  lessons  to  the  race; 
To  be  content,  though  lowly  aye 

Their  lot  or  place  in  life, 
To  smile  and  cheer  the  lonely  ones, 

Whate'er  of  sin  or  strife. 


To  teach  that  God  will  clothe  them  all; 

But  they  a  work  must  do, 
To  seek  and  catch  the  sunlight  bright, 

And  ever  keep  in  view 
That  work  is  not  for  self  alone, 

For  others,  too,  must  share 
Their  love,  their  help,  and  sunlight  warm, 

And  all  their  kindest  care. 


75 


ODE  TO  THE   BUTTERCUP 

O  pretty  yellow  Buttercup, 

I  bid  thee  now  adieu! 
Bloom  on  and  smile  forever,  aye, 

And  live  thy  life  so  true. 
So  lowly  and  contented  thou, 

So  pure,  so  fresh,  so  sweet, 
That  man  will  ever  bless  thy  life, 

With  hope  thy  presence  greet. 


76 


THE   MILESTONES   OF   LIFE 

IN  childhood,  at  our  mother's  side, 

Are  milestones  far  apart; 
We  seem  to  reach  the  first  one  ne'er, 

But  we  with  courage  start. 

« 

At  first  how  slowly  days  go  by, 

And  in  our  happy  youth 
The  days  seem  months,  the  months  seem  years, 

They  slowly  pass,  forsooth. 

We  forward  press,  with  lofty  aim, 

No  height  we  cannot  reach, 
And  filled  with  self- conceited  thoughts, 

Are  sure  that  none  can  teach. 

We  wonder  at  the  ignorance 

Of  those  beyond  our  ken, 
And  think  that  we  can  teach  them  e'er 

In  all  things,  now  and  then. 

77 


THE   MILESTONES  OF   LIFE 

We  reach  the  next  stone  on  our  way, 

Our  aims  are  still  most  high, 
With  books  we  struggle,  and  with  thoughts, 

With  all  we  seem  to  vie. 

The  more  we  learn,  the  less  we  know  — 

At  least,  we  now  think  so  — 
So  weigh  and  study  all  we  say, 

Our  self-esteem  is  low. 

We  travel  on,  another  stone 

Is  reached,  then  left  behind; 
How  short  is  time,  so  much  to  learn, 

And  roads  so  devious  wind. 

Time  rushes  on  with  lightning  speed, 

The  milestones  now  do  crowd, 
As  one  is  passed,  we  others  see, 

Dark  night  our  lives  enshroud. 

We  reach  the  last  one  on  the  road, 

Our  journey's  done  —  nothing  wrought; 

We  know  that  now  we  cannot  teach, 
Yet  have  no  wish  to  be  taught. 

78 


DON'T   TALK   TOO   MUCH 

THOU  winking,  blinking  owlet, 
What  thoughts  are  in  thy  brain? 

If  wisdom  hath  been  given, 
Hath  it  been  given  in  vain  ? 

Thy  speech  is  but  gruff  hooting, 
Can  this  be  wisdom's  test? 

Then,  man,  try  learn  this  lesson, 
That  hooting  oft  is  best. 

With  big  round  eyes  e'er  staring, 
Sit  thou,  O  Owl,  in  state, 

Look  wise,  though  you  be  foolish, 
This  may  be  blissful  state. 

If  asked  of  thee  a  question, 
Reply  with  hoot,  look  wise, 

Then  all  will  praise  your  wisdom, 
And  laud  you  to  the  skies. 

79 


DON'T  TALK   TOO   MUCH 

It  often  would  be  better 
To  hoot,  and  not  to  talk; 

Then  foolish  ones  would  never 
To  wise  ones  give  a  shock. 


80 


THE   COUNTRY   GARDEN 

THIS  is  the  garden  of  my  home, 

And  e'er  to  memory  dear, 
It  brings  to  mind  the  neighbors  all, 

And  friends  that  were  so  dear. 
And  in  this  garden  by  the  door 

Is  rose-bush,  near  the  walk, 
A  lilac-tree  is  on  one  side, 

Close  by  a  hollyhock. 

A  lily  in  the  corner  grows, 

A  peony  next  in  row, 
A  briar-bush,  with  fragrance  sweet, 

Then  bed  of  daisies  low. 
The  china  aster  has  its  rank, 

The  tiger  lilies  bright, 
The  cockscomb  with  its  drooping  head, 

Then  poppies  claim  their  right. 

81 


THE  COUNTRY   GARDEN 

The  monk's-hood  now  is  not  forgot, 

Love-in-a-mist  has  place, 
A  pansy  blossom,  too,  is  there, 

With  almost  human  face. 
The  snowball  white  we  ne'er  forget, 

We  love  the  marigold, 
The  sweet  pea's  breath  of  perfume  rare, 

The  dahlias  gay  and  bold. 


We  see  the  modest  violet 

Her  flowers  hide  in  green, 
The  buttercup  and  Aaron's  rod 

Are  clothed  in  satin  sheen. 
We  must  not  slight  the  clover  sweet, 

Nor  pass  the  goldenrod  ; 
They  speak  to  us  of  dear  ones  now, 

And  show  the  love  of  God. 


The  mullen,  tansy,  wormwood,  too, 
The  spearmint  and  the  balm, 

The  peppermint  and  catnip  good, 
Are  all  behind  the  barn. 


82 


THE   COUNTRY   GARDEN 

Lobelia,  and  all  bitter  herbs, 

Are  gathered  in  the  fall, 
With  care  and  judgment  they  are  used 

If  any  ills  befall 


The  neighbors  or  their  children  small, 

The  cattle  or  the  sheep, 
For  farmers'  wives  scarce  ever  have 

E'en  time  to  think  or  sleep. 
I  long  for  country  garden  bright, 

I  long  for  country  life, 
I  long  for  country  pleasures  all, 

And  love  the  country  wife. 


The  stockings  warm  she  knits  and  darns, 

She  makes  and  mends  the  clothes, 
She  is  the  nurse,  and  doctor  too, 

And  everything  she  knows. 
When  married  is  a  country  lass, 

The  country  wife  is  there, 
To  help  in  all  the  cooking  nice, 

And  dress  the  bride  with  care. 

83 


THE    COUNTRY   GARDEN 

A  little  one  is  coming  soon, 

How  proud  is  her  warm  heart, 
Directly  she  is  sent  for  now, 

To  take  the  accoucheuse  part. 
When  death  comes  to  a  household  sad, 

She  ready  is  to  work, 
She  e'en  the  undertaker  is, 

And  ne'er  her  duties  shirk. 


84 


CHRISTMAS   GREETINGS 

GLAD  tidings  to-day  I  send  you, 
Glad  tidings  of  friendship  and  love; 

It 's  given  to  us  by  angels, 

God's  blessing  to  you  from  above. 

'T  is  peace  to  the  soul  that 's  weary, 
And  joy  to  the  heart  that  is  gay; 

It  brightens  the  day  that's  dreary, 
As  rays  of  bright  sunshine  in  May. 


COUNTRY   LIFE 

I  SIT  in  meadow,  watching 
The  oxen  drag  the  plow; 

The  farmer  in  his  shirt-sleeves, 
The  hay  is  on  the  mow. 

I  sit  in  meadow,  watching 
The  farmer  sowing  seed; 

He's  honest  in  his  thinking, 
And  honest,  every  deed. 

I  sit  in  meadow,  watching 
The  farmer  garnering  grain; 

He's  hurrying  and  scurrying, 
Before  the  coming  rain. 

4 

I  sit  in  doorway,  watching 
The  farmer  taking  rest; 

His  work  all  done.     The  cattle, 
Their  supper  eat  with  zest. 

86 


COUNTRY  LIFE 

I  sit  by  fire  in  winter  ; 

The  farmer  smokes  his  pipe, 
His  wife  a  stocking  knitting, 

On  table  apples  ripe. 

I  sit  in  church  on  Sunday  ; 

The  farmer  's  in  his  best, 
In  Sunday  gowns  the  children, 

The  wife  takes  now  her  rest. 

I  stand  by  grave  in  springtime, 
The  wife  in  sorrow  bowed, 

The  children  now  are  weeping, 
The  neighbors  round  them  crowd. 

The  minister,  in  pity, 

Looks  up  and  breathes  this  prayer: 
"Dear  Father,  God  in  heaven, 

Now  have  them  in  Thy  care." 


WHEN   OUR   SHIP   COMES   IN 

THE  ship  we  look  for  never  comes, 

We  watch  with  anxious  fears; 
She's  freighted  with  our  joyous  hopes, 

We  've  waited  many  years. 
Our  dreams  of  wealth,  our  hopes  of  fame, 

We've  packed  with  closest  care; 
If  aught  befalls  that  glorious  ship, 

Our  lives  lie  buried  there. 


She  left  our  port  in  youth's  bright  hour, 

Was  sighted  in  our  prime, 
Was  spoken  once,  as  age  drew  near, 

And  e'en  threw  out  a  line. 
We  tried  to  grasp  the  proffered  rope, 

Alas  !  it  fell  far  short, 
It  sank  beneath  deceptive  waves, 

Our  hopes  have  been  as  naught. 

88 


WHEN  OUR  SHIP  COMES  IN 

Again  our  ship  comes  sailing  near, 

Beneath  is  hidden  shoal; 
The  ship  comes  on  with  all  sails  set, 

Will  never  reach  its  goal. 
Now  hope  is  gone,  and  death  draws  nigh, 

The  phantom  ship  is  here; 
Step  on  her  deck,  draw  in  the  plank, 

Without  regret  or  fear. 


89 


CONSECRATION 

LET  us  consecrate  all  of  our  being 
To  the  help  of  our  brother  man, 

Our  desires  e'er  give  way  to  their  wishes, 
Take  e'er  from  mankind  sorrow's  ban. 

Let  their  wants  overcome  all  our  wishes, 
And  their  needs  overcome  our  want; 

Let  our  need  give  way  to  necessity, 
But  of  sacrifice  never  vaunt. 

There's  so  much  we  can  do  without  ever, 

Really,  our  needs  are  so  few, 
That  by  helping  a  brother,  more  needy, 

We  the  sacrifice  ne'er  shall  rue. 


90 


WHAT   BABY   SAID 

OUR  baby  looked  out  of  window  one  day, 
Saw  humming-bird  flitting  'mong  flowers, 

And  cried  to  mamma,  "Oh,  do  come  and  seel 
A  birdie  is  kissing  the  flowers." 

All  nature  with  joy  was  smiling  that  day, 

Its  thirst  had  been  quenched  by  the  showers* 

And  baby,  with  glee,  called  loud  to  mamma, 
"  See!  birdie  is  kissing  the  flowers." 

Sweet  birdlings  were  singing  a  song  of  praise, 
For  clouds  did  no  longer  now  lower, 

And  baby  now  cried,  with  loud,  happy  voice, 
"  Oh,  see  the  bird  kissing  a  flower." 

The  sun,  in  its  glory,  peeped  in  and  out, 
E'er  dancing  in  birds'  love-lit  bowers; 

Its  rays  are  e'er  wooing  all  the  sweet  birds 
To  come  and  make  love  to  the  flowers. 


WHAT  BABY  SAID 

Dear  Father,  O  grant  that  our  baby's  life 
Be  guided  by  Heaven's  high  power, 

And  ever  his  mind  as  innocent  be 
As  humming-bird  kissing  a  flower. 


92 


SPRINGTIME 

THE  birds  begin  to  sing  now, 
The  flowers  all  to  bloom, 

The  brooks  change  into  rivers, 
And  rush  on  to  their  doom. 

Now  plants  his  seed  the  farmer, 
The  trees  begin  to  leave, 

To  choose  his  mate,  the  swallow, 
And  web,  the  spider  weave. 

The  bee  begins  his  droning, 
The  ant,  his  home  to  build, 

Lambs,  in  their  glee,  are  sporting, 
On  land  that's  ne'er  been  tilled. 

Sings  merry  notes  the  robin, 
His  mate  with  joy  replies; 

With  saucy  nod  the  sparrow 
Looks  up,  and  all  defies. 

93 


SPRINGTIME 

The  lark,  the  thrush,  the  bobolink, 

Join  all  in  happy  song, 
The  cuckoo,  and  the  whippoorwill, 

Are  also  of  the  throng. 

Of  busy,  happy  workers, 

Who  build  their  nests  with  care, 

Who  win  their  mates  with  love  songs, 
None  other  e'er  will  dare 

To  give  a  note  of  discord 

In  sister  birdling's  home, 
Or  brother  bird  to  linger, 

Or  from  his  mate  to  roam. 

For  all  the  laws  of  bird-life, 
Are  good,  are  pure,  and  just, 

And  every  happy  bird-wife 
E'er  in  her  mate  can  trust. 

With  joy  we  welcome  springtime, 
Stern  winter,  bid  good- by, 

In  lives  are  flowers  budding  — 
Will  blossom  by-and-by. 


94 


SPRINGTIME 

Will  blossom  and  bear  fruitage, 
The  fruit  is  good  and  sweet, 

If  grafted  by  unselfishness, 
And  kindly  all  we  greet. 

But  life  is  not  all  springtime, 
For  summer's  heat  is  near, 

And  fall,  with  gorgeous  colors, 
Greets  winter,  stern  and  drear. 


95 


"THE   LIVING   CHRIST" 

"THE  Living  Christ "  is  harmony, 

Is  love,  is  peace,  is  joy; 
Is  helping  e'er  our  neighbors  all, 

Is  life  without  alloy. 

"The  Living  Christ "  is  loving  deeds, 

Is  spirit,  soul,  and  mind, 
It  helps  to  clothe  the  naked  ones, 

Is  eyes  unto  the  blind. 

"  The  Living  Christ"  is  honesty, 

Advantage  does  not  take 
Of  those  that  we  have  dealings  with, 

Dishonest  money  make. 

"The  Living  Christ"  immortal  is, 

Divine  are  all  His  works, 
And  death  is  but  a  stepping-stone, 

No  ' '  King  of  Terror  ' '  lurks 

96 


"THE   LIVING   CHRIST" 

Around  the  hearth  of  innocence, 

For  conquered  now  is  he; 
We  know  He  is  our  dearest  friend, 

And  is  our  destiny. 

Each  night  He  comes  with  peaceful  sleep, 

Resurrection  in  the  morn; 
Believing  this  entirely, 

Death  is  of  terrors  shorn. 

41  The  Living  Christ"  uprightness  is, 

It  fills  us  with  love-thought, 
And  never  hate  nor  malice  dark 

Will  in  our  lives  be  wrought. 

"  The  Living  Christ  "  is  temperance, 

Is  temperate  in  all  things, 
Not  envy,  malice,  nor  vile  hate 

Will  show  their  fangs  and  stings. 

"The  Living  Christ"  contentment  is, 

Not  chafing  at  our  lot. 
But  ever  seeing  good  in  all  — 

Contentment  can't  be  bought. 


97 


"THE   LIVING   CHRIST" 

"  The  Living  Christ  "  incarnate  is, 

Is  grounded  in  the  heart, 
We  live  the  Christ-life  every  day, 

He  is  of  life  a  part. 

"The  Living  Christ"  is  consciousness, 

A  consciousness  of  soul, 
Of  power  in  the  will  of  man, 

Of  power  to  win  the  goal. 

"  The  Living  Christ"  awakened  is 

When  we  all  evil  shun, 
When  in  the  soul  no  vicious  deed 

Hath  its  dark  work  begun. 

"The  Living  Christ"  is  happiness, 

Unhappy  none  could  be 
Whose  lives  were  guided  by  the  Christ 

The  Christ  is  Liberty. 

"  The  Living  Christ  "  is  with  us  now, 

We  care  not  for  the  past; 
The  "  Living  Christ"  is  present  good, 

And  good  will  always  last. 

98 


TRUTH 

TRUTH'S  Temple  was  not  builded 

From  out  of  little  lies; 
Religions  were  not  budded 

From  out  fanatics'  sighs. 

And  Wisdom's  chain  not  welded 
From  out  of  bigots'  prayers; 

And  no  great  work  of  charity 
Accrued  from  misers'  wares. 

Reform  began  scarce  ever 
By  those  who  sin  themselves; 

Great  hist'ry  never  written, 
Then  laid  away  on  shelves. 

No  ship  was  ever  builded 
Without  the  use  of  tools; 

Could  not  be  brought  port  into 
' Thout  navigation's  rules. 

99 


TRUTH 

No  one  can  teach  another, 

Who  has  not  self  been  taught; 

None  should  expect  of  brother 
What  self  hath  never  wrought. 

No  one  can  paint  a  picture, 
Unless  has  pigments  he; 

No  one  can  write  an  essay, 
Unless  there  subject  be. 

We  ne'er  should  make  another 
Believe  what  is  not  true; 

If  we  unkind  are  ever, 
Some  time  we  it  will  rue. 

Great  truths  will  e'er  be  welded 
By  heroes  of  the  world; 

Truth's  banner  bright  will  ever 
Be  to  the  world  unfurled. 

Deceit  will  find  its  level, 
It  never  can  hold  sway, 

But  some  time  in  the  future, 
Find  truth  will  better  pay. 

100 


TRUTH 

If  we  uplift  a  brother, 

Much  help  to  self  we  find; 

Commandments  keeping  ever, 
Ourselves  to  gqocj  we  bind. 

Then  let  us  e'efbe^rtjthfal^,' . >  ;  •>  ;.) 
Then  let  us  e^rbe^htd1',     - '  ;  ' 

And  let  us  help  each  other, 
And  to  the  truth  them  bind. 


101 


CONTENT 

IK  friends  have  lost  their  hoarded  wealth, 

We  cry  to  them,  content, 
Our  faces  wear  a  peaceful  smile, 

We  say  to  them,  what 's  sent 
Is  for  their  good,  so  question  not 

God's  laws,  so  just  and  kind; 
Perhaps  it  is  to  try  their  faith, 

And  to  the  Lord  them  bind. 


When  sickness  comes,  oh,  be  resigned, 

It  is  your  Master's  will; 
Their  money  gone,  friends  follow  fast, 

We  cry,  contentment  still. 
With  placid  smile  of  calm  content, 

We  talk  of  God's  just  laws; 
Our  jewels  flash  o'er  trailing  robes, 

Our  diamonds  have  no  flaws. 

102 


CONTENT 

Our  loving  friends  around  us  crowd, 

We  are  in  perfect  health, 
We  therefore  sit  in  sweet  content, 

Surrounded  by  our  wealth. 
So  still  we  preach,  and  cry  content, 

And  say,  "Your  burdens  bear; 
Oh,  pray  for  strength  to  bear  your  cross, 

There's  good  for  you  somewhere." 

If  grief  should  knock  at  our  grand  door, 

Where  is  our  calm  content? 
We  wonder  why  the  burden  came, — 

Where  now  is  sweet  content? 
We  see  not  justice  in  God's  law, 

We  wonder  why  'tis  sent, 
We  think  no  other  lot  so  hard, — 

Where  now  is  calm  content? 


103 


DISCONTENT 

WE  think  of  joys  that  now  are  past, 

We  long  for  them  again, 
We  live  that  past  o'er  and  o'er, 

It  brings  but  grief  and  pain. 

With  others,  joy  may  linger  long, 
And  in  their  homes  aye  dwell; 

But  when  we  think  it  near  us  is, 
Instead  of  good,  its  knell 

To  all  achievements,  and  all  hopes, 

Of  joys  we  never  reach, 
Of  friends  we  've  lost  through  faithlessness, 

It  will  a  lesson  teach, 

That  when  we  pluck  the  roses  sweet, 
We're  ever  pricked  by  thorns, 

And  when  we  wish  for  sunshine  bright, 
We  get  most  furious  storms. 

104 


DISCONTENT 

E'er  after  seed-time,  harvest  comes, 

But  not  by  us  't  is  won; 
E'er  bitten,  tender  leaves,  by  frost, 

Or  scorched  by  burning  sun. 

When  for  a  journey  we've  prepared, 
In  torrents,  rain  comes  down; 

From  neighbors,  look  we  for  a  smile, 
Instead  we  get  a  frown. 

We  think  sweet  converse  to  enjoy 
Of  friends  we  've  longed  to  meet; 

Inharmony  will  creep  in  then, 
Another  forced  to  greet. 

So  what  we  hope  and  wish  for  e'er, 
Most  surely  will  not  come; 

But  e'er  the  very  opposite, 
Be  always  said  and  done. 


105 


THE   SUNKEN    CONTINENT 

ATLANTIS,  most  beautiful  city, 

Its  people  majestic  in  mien, 
Has  sunk  in  the  ocean's  deep  billows, 

Not  even  a  mountain  is  seen. 

I  come  from  that  long-buried  city, 
To  tell  of  its  glory  and  might; 

You  scarce  will  accept  what  I  tell  you, 
So  long  it  has  been  out  of  sight. 

It  had  all  the  arts  and  sciences 
That  cities  can  boast  of  to-day, 

Most  beautiful  paintings  and  sculptures, 
And  bands  of  fine  music  alway. 

Had  palaces  grand  and  gorgeous, 

Had  churches  and  schools  by  the  score, 

Had  homes  for  the  poor  and  desolate, 
Had  mills  for  the  working  of  ore. 

1 06 


THE  SUNKEN   CONTINENT 

The  prisons  and  gaols  were  not  many, 

So  few  were  the  criminal  class; 
Instead,  they  had  schools  for  the  wicked, 

The  pupils  were  anxious  to  pass 

To  higher  and  better  conditions, 

They  knew  what  their  sins  had  them  cost; 
So  strove  they,  with  all  of  their  power, 

To  regain  what  they  had  once  lost. 

I  cannot  make  you  realize  now 

How  wonderful  was  that  past  time, 

Nor  all  of  the  marvelous  glory, 

How  little  there  was  of  dark  crime. 


To  time  of  destruction  I  will  come, 
Describe  it  as  best  now  I  may, 

The  fears  of  that  day  I  can  feel  still, 
'Twill  ever  in  memory  stay. 

107 


THE  SUNKEN  CONTINENT 

So  calm  was  the  day  that  none  would  think 
Or  dream  of  the  woes  of  the  night, 

Like  cannon  was  heard  report  by  all, 

The  earth  seemed  to  tremble  with  fright; 

With  fury  the  ocean's  waves  were  lashed, 
The  sky  became  black  as  the  night, 

The  people  in  terror  left  their  homes, 
To  view  this  most  terrible  sight. 

To  mountains  they  rushed  in  dire  dismay, 
The  sea  followed  fast  in  their  track, 

Through  valleys  it  swept,  crossed  the  hills, 
And  never  for  moment  turned  back. 

The  mountains  and  hills  were  covered  now 
With  women  and  men,  full  of  life, 

But  soon  they  were  buried  'neath  the  waves, 
Left  nothing  to  tell  of  their  strife. 

I  'd  climbed  to  the  highest  mountain  peak, 

I  saw  all  the  trouble  and  grief; 
This  point  would  be  covered  soon  I  knew, 

And  none  could  afford  me  relief. 


1 08 


THE  SUNKEN   CONTINENT 

And  knowing  full  well  I  could  not  find 

A  place  any  better  to  rest, 
For  water  came  now  with  lightning  speed, 

I  had  of  all  places  the  best. 

The  water  at  last  covered  my  feet, 
Still  creeping  each  minute  higher, 

And  then,  with  a  shriek  of  wild  dismay, 
I  met  the  disaster  so  dire. 

How  long  I  had  slept  I  never  shall  know, 
But  waking  as  if  from  a  trance, 

With  joyful  surprise,  I  looked  around, 
Environments  saw  at  a  glance. 

I  'm  fully  repaid  for  all  distress 
Of  body,  of  mind,  or  of  soul, 

My  home  is  so  grand  and  beautiful, 
At  last  I  have  reached  the  high  goal. 


109 


THE    DESTRUCTION    OF    POMPEII 

THE  morn  was  bright  and  cloudless  in 

Pompeii  —  city  gay, 
An  ever-rushing  multitude 

Were  going  on  their  way. 
A  cloud  in  sky  began  to  show, 

Not  larger  than  man's  hand, 
It  soon  spread  o'er  the  heavens  blue, 

Enveloped  all  the  land. 


Now,  in  this  mighty  city,  gay, 

Is  gathered  frightened  throng, 
The  sky  is  red  and  lurid  now, 

The  people  tramp  along 
With  anxious  look  and  troubled  mien, 

But  know  not  where  to  go. 
Beneath  their  feet  is  trembling  ground, 

Seems  swaying  to  and  fro. 

no 


THE   DESTRUCTION  OF   POMPEII 

With  angry  mutterings  and  groans, 

The  earth  seemed  now  alive, 
The  people  madly  rushing  on, 

Like  swarming  bees  from  hives. 
The  heavens  black  with  ashes  are, 

Then  leaps  a  tongue  of  fire, 
From  mountain  grand  —  Vesuvius,— 

It  leaps  with  angry  ire. 


From  mountains  come  the  people  down, 

From  plains  they  rush  to  sea, 
On  ocean's  billows,  now  the  ships 

Rock  e'er  from  port  to  lea. 
The  sick,  the  blind,  the  lame,  the  halt, 

The  weaklings,  and  the  strong, 
The  beasts,  the  reptiles,  and  the  birds, 

Know  not  where  they  belong. 


The  hiss  of  snake,  the  cry  of  men, 
The  screaming  of  the  bird, 

The  roaring  of  the  lion  strong, 
Above  the  din  is  heard. 

in 


THE  DESTRUCTION   OF  POMPEII 

Has  God  let  loose  the  demons  all, 

For  one  grand  holiday? 
Are  holding  they  a  jubilee, 

And  joying  man  to  slay  ? 

Such  storms  of  fire  and  lava  then 

Came  pouring  down  the  hill, 
It  seemed  as  if  the  demons  all 

Fulfilled  their  master's  will. 
The  day  has  passed,  more  fierce  the  crowd, 

More  dreadful  are  the  cries, 
Beast  wild,  forgets  his  enemy,  man, 

Falls  by  his  side,  and  dies. 

The  evening  passes  into  night, 

More  fearful  is  the  gloom, 
'Tis  Pandemonium  let  loose, 

So  sure  are  all  of  doom. 
The  rich,  the  poor,  the  high,  the  low, 

The  freeman,  and  the  slave, 
With  shriek  of  agony  most  wild, 

Were  buried  in  one  grave. 


112 


THE   SWALLOWS'    PARTY 

SENT  Mrs.  Swallow  invitations  out 

To  all  her  friends,  both  far  and  near, 
To  a  reception  for  her  daughters  grand, 

For  they  were  coming  out  this  year, 
The  party  was  to  be  quite  recherche, 

For  on  the  highest  eaves,  their  home, 
They  also  lived  upon  the  fattest  worms, 

All  gathered  from  the  richest  loam. 


This  function  tajked  of  was  for  many  days, 

In  all  their  circle,  high  and  large; 
Were  ordered  from  afar  the  viands  rich, 

And  shipped  to  them  upon  a  barge. 
Poor  Mr.  Swallow's  clothes  were  old  and  worn,, 

For  he  had  traveled  far  and  wide 
Much  knowledge  to  obtain,  and  food  to  get, 

Home,  scarcely  ever  did  he  bide. 


THE  SWALLOWS'    PARTY 

Now  Mrs.  Swallow  was  so  vain  and  proud, 

And  much  she  liked  to  make  a  show, 
For  lovely  grown-up  daughters,  four,  had  she,. 

And  all  did  eat  swell  worms,  you  know. 
First,  Mrs.  Swallow  a  fine  gown  must  have, 

And  he,  a  new  swallow-tail  coat, 
To  give  this  party  the  proper  tone, 

For  on  their  style  they  all  did  dote. 


A  carpet  new  was  needed  for  the  house, 

Straw  matting  had  long  since  gone  by, 
So  Mr.  Swallow  had  to  fly  around 

All  o'er  the  country,  low  and  high. 
Required  the  house  also  many  repairs, 

Each  daughter  must  have  a  new  gown, 
For  feathers  had  long  been  the  fashion  now,. 

Pass£,  for  some  time  had  been  down. 


Most  beautiful  and  fair  at  last  came  day, 
Arrived  the  guests  in  flies  at  night, 

For  in  high  life  it  is  not  right  to  walk, 
E'en  though  it  may  be  great  delight. 

114 


THE  SWALLOWS'    PARTY 

Then  Mrs.  Swallow,  with  mother's  proud  smile, 

Presented  all  her  daughters  fair; 
But  never  before  having  met  such  guests, 

They  had  a  most  diffident  air. 

But  coming  forward,  with  a  skip  and  hop, 

Instead  of  hand,  they  gave  their  bill, 
And  with  an  hungered,  expectant  look, 

They  hoped  each  guest  their  mouths  would 

fill. 
The  parents  very  much  mortified  were 

At  their  dear  children's  manners  shy, 
So  quickly  proposed  the  popular  song, 

Of  "  When  the  swallows  homeward  fly." 

In  singing  they  all  joined  with  one  accord; 

They  also  played  on  pipe  and  reed, 
Their  throats,  with  music,  seemed  like  now  to 
burst, 

Proud  Mrs.  Swallow  took  the  lead. 
As  many  of  the  guests  were  city  bred, 

They  stroked  their  bills  with  much  eclat, 
And  secretly  hoped  they'd  not  cook  the  worms, 

As  they  all  liked  them  better  raw. 


THE  SWALLOWS'    PARTY 

Invited  guests  the  first  dance  were  to  choose, 

And  also  of  the  buds  have  choice; 
The  dance  they  chose,  a  hop-waltz  was  to  be, 

None  others  could  have  e'en  a  voice. 
They  then  around  waltzed  with  many  a  chirp, 

They  twittered  all  from  bough  to  bough, 
Around  first  swinging,  then  balancing  back, 

'Till  hungry  they  'gan  to  feel  now. 

Then  Mrs.  Swallow  to  the  servants  told, 

A  supper  of  worms  to  prepare; 
There  was  enough  for  all,  full  many  pecks, 

But  not  a  worm  had  they  to  spare. 
Now  getting  late  it  was,  their  flies  were  called, 

Most  tired  they  were,  they'd  danced  so  hard, 
But   they    all   said    they'd   enjoyed    themselves 
well; 

A  feather  each  left  for  his  card. 


116 


THE   TIDE 

THE  tide,  the  tide,  mysterious  tide, 

It  comes  to  us,  but  will  not  abide; 

It  comes  at  morn,  and  at  eve  it  goes, 

From  whence,  from  where,  no  one  ever  knows. 

The  tide,  the  tide,  the  incoming  tide, 
It  seems  to  come  with  e'er-swelling  pride; 
It  leaves  again,  now  its  pride  is  gone; 
It  comes  at  eve,  and  it  goes  at  dawn. 

The  tide,  the  tide,  the  wonderful  tide, 
Its  depths,  perchance,  many  secrets  hide; 
May  come  on  bosom  a  breath  of  love, 
With  cheer  and  comfort  from  friends  above. 

The  tide,  the  tide,  the  joyous  tide, 
Comes  laughing  in,  like  a  happy  bride, 
Or  moans  and  groans  like  a  soul  distressed, 
It  comes  and  goes,  for  it  ne'er  can  rest. 

117 


THE  TIDE 

The  tide,  the  tide,  oh,  the  ruthless  tide, 
On  waves,  in  peace,  may  a  ship  now  ride, 
Then  dashed  with  force  on  a  jagged  rock, 
It  scorns  our  woes,  all  our  griefs  will  mock. 

The  tide,  the  tide  can  never  be  still, 
It  comes  and  goes  at  the  Master's  will; 
To  us,  by  tide,  a  lesson  is  taught, 
Unless  we  work  there's  nothing  wrought. 

The  tide,  the  tide,  the  beautiful  tide, 
It  bids  us  trust,  in  God's  laws  abide; 
It  teaches  action,  it  teaches  rest. 
We  learn  by  it  that  all's  for  the  best. 


118 


THE   LORD'S    PRAYER 

11  Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven." 

OUR  Father,  God,  is  everywhere, 

In  heaven,  over  all  the  earth, 
And  we  are  ever  in  His  care, 

And  heaven  only  is  rebirth. 

4<  Hallowed  be  Thy  name" 

All  holy  is  the  Father's  name, 
And  holy  ever  are  His  works, 

And  holy  are  His  children's  hearts, 
E'en  if  therein  much  sin  e'er  lurks. 

"  Thy  kingdom  come,   Thy  will  be  done" 

The  kingdom  cannot  come,  it's  here, 
Hath  ever  been,  and  e'er  will  be; 

God's  will  must  aye  be  done  on  earth, 
Whate'er  is  done,  God  willed  should  be. 

119 


THE   LORD'S  PRAYER 

"  In  earth,  as  it  is  done  in  heaven" 

'Twixt  heaven  and  earth,  so  thin  the  veil, 
That  wafted  by  a  breath  of  love 

It 's  cast  aside,  and  you  will  win 

What  you  may  call,  your  home  above. 

' '  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. ' ' 

Oh,  do  not  beg  your  daily  bread, 
God  makes  not  mendicant  of  you, 

So  you  must  work  for  all  you  have, 
And  not  as  beggar  must  you  sue. 

' '  Forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those 
who  trespass  against  us. ' ' 

Just  pause  before  you  ask  this  boon, 

Nor  think  that  God  will  you  forgive 
One  sinful  thought,  one  sinful  act, 

For  every  wicked  thought  will  live 
Until  you  've  buried  it  with  love. 

Oh,  ever  bury  sin  so  deep, 
That  when  you  pass  beyond  this  life, 

You  '11  have  no  sin  for  which  to  weep. 

120 


THE   LORD'S   PRAYER 

4  *  And  lead  its  not  into  temptation. 

Do  we  expect  our  Father,  God, 
Astray  to  lead  His  children  dear? 

Or  tempt  them  e'er  to  wickedness, 
Of  this,  O  mortal,  have  no  fear. 

44  But  deliver  us  from  evil." 

God  hath  all  power  given  to  us, 

All  strength  and  power  to  vanquish  sin; 

He  '11  not  deliver  us  from  it, 
All  victories  we  must  ever  win. 

Ourselves  must  fight  the  battle  hard, 
God  only  will  to  us  give  strength, 

And  we  must  hold  our  banner  high, 
And  wisdom  we  will  gain  at  length. 

14  For  Thine  is  the  kingdom,  power  and  glory.' 

We  do  not  doubt  the  power  of  God, 
Nor  ever  doubt  His  glory  high ; 

We  do  not  doubt  His  power  to  do, 
Except  to  make  His  laws  a  lie. 

121 


THE  LORD'S   PRAYER 

We  know  that  we  belong  to  Him, 
The  earth,  and  all  which  is  therein; 

So  do  not  try  to  teach  the  God 
To  save  us  from  our  smallest  sin. 

"  Forever,  and forever.     Amen.' 

Yes,  ever  and  aye,  mote  it  be, 
Forever  and  ever.      Amen. 

Amen,  through  all  eternity, 
Amen,  Amen,  Amen. 


122 


A    DROP   OF    WATER 

A  DROP  of  water  falls  on  lake, 

A  circle  from  it  shows, 
So  every  little  word  or  act 

Of  ours,  on  some  bestows 
A  benediction  or  a  curse; 

For  words  a  circle  show, 
They  travel  round  and  round  in  life, 

Will  ever  larger  grow. 


Will  bless  some  life,  or  make  it  sad, 

For  little  words  and  deeds 
Are  things  of  energy  and  life  — 

Are  flowers,  or  vile  weeds. 
Then  govern  ev'ry  word  and  act, 

For  thou  may'st  never  know 
Where  word  will  fall,  where  deed  will  stop, 

Give  pleasure,  or  cause  woe. 

123 


A   DROP  OF   WATER 

So  cultivate  each  word  and  deed, 

And  kindness  sow  full  deep, 
And  prune  all  thorns,  all  branches  dead, 

That  none  you  cause  to  weep. 
A  drop  of  water  is  not  much, 

But  oceans  come  from  drops, 
A  grain  of  sand  you  scarce  can  see, 

They  make  the  mountain-tops. 

A  circle  by  the  drop  is  made, 

A  circle,  by  a  thought, 
All  deeds  will  circle  earth  around, 

Mankind  by  them  be  caught. 
When  sowed,  may  love-deeds  ever  be 

Well  watered  by  the  rain 
Of  sympathy's  sweet,  loving  tears, 

Our  lives  lived  not  in  vain. 


124 


THE    BIRTH    OF   THE    EARTH 

A  CHILD  was  born  unto  the  sun, 

Projected  into  space, 
But  could  not  go  beyond  the  force 

Of  parent's  glorious  face. 

But  soon  the  child  for  freedom  fought, 
With  earthquake,  storm,  and  fire, 

But  parent  was  the  stronger  force, 
And  force  that  could  not  tire. 

As  ages  passed,  the  fire  was  quenched 

By  water,  its  dire  foe, 
Then  vegetation  came  on  earth, 

And  trees  began  to  grow. 

Cycles  went  by  before  life  came, 

And  then  in  lowest  form. 
Birds,  beasts,  and  reptiles,  also  man, 

Upon  the  earth  were  born. 

125 


THE    BIRTH    OF    THE    EARTH 

Though  man  was  not  the  lowest  type, 
More  beast  than  man  was  he, 

But  soon  his  needs  forced  intellect, 
Result  of  that  are  we. 

But  generations  came  and  went, 

Before  intelligent  thought 
Could  hold  its  place  in  mind  of  man, 

Or  anything  was  wrought. 

We  scarce  to-day  can  think  that  we 

Are  products  of  that  past, 
But  if  we  trace  our  ancestry, 

Appalled  we  stand,  aghast. 

But  man  is  here,  and  cannot  stop, 

Intelligence  has  the  reins, 
And  drives  him  fast  and  furious, 

E'er  higher  are  his  aims. 

The  race-track  is  Eternity, 
And  Knowledge  is  the  steed, 

The  whip  is  Comprehension, 
Of  brake,  there  is  no  need. 

126 


THE    BIRTH    OF    THE    EARTH 

Forever  on  the  up-grade,  we, 
No  slipping  down  the  hill; 

Progression  is  the  vehicle, 
Achievement  is  our  will. 


127 


THE   BEGINNING    OF   MAN 

IN  protoplasm  man  began, 

Millions  of  years  ago; 
His  progress  up  to  intellect, 

Has  been  exceedingly  slow. 

At  first  his  thought  was  but  to  eat, 

His  home,  a  shelving  rock, 
To  shelter  him  from  rain  and  snow, — 

Within  this  place  no  stock 
Of  food  nor  raiment,  fire  nor  bed, 

Nor  tools  of  any  kind; 
His  life  was  low  as  any  beast, 

He  scarce  had  thought  nor  mind. 

His  first  conception  was  a  home, 
A  place  where  he  could  bide; 

With  leaves  and  boughs  he  made  a  bed, 
Dug  caves  in  the  hillside. 

128 


THE    BEGINNING    OF    MAN 

Then  fire,  by  accident,  was  made, 
By  storms  some  trees  were  felled, 

A  better  home,  a  house,  was  built, 
His  brain,  the  thought  then  held. 


He  then  began  to  think  and  plan 

To  shield  himself  from  rain, 
So  then  he  fashioned  clothes  from  skins 

Of  beasts  which  he  had  slain. 
Now  families  in  numbers  grew, 

Then  intellect  soon  came, 
They  then  began  to  feel  the  need, 

So  gave  themselves  a  name. 


At  each  new  thought,  as  ages  passed, 

A  needed  word  was  coined; 
As  time  now  came  and  grew  apace, 

These  words  were  then  all  joined. 
Their  numbers  grew,  they  moved  apart, 

And  having  need  of  signs, 
They  soon  invented,  traced  with  skill, 

Most  strange  and  devious  lines. 

129 


THE    BEGINNING    OF    MAN 

At  first  on  bark,  and  then  on  wood, 

Then  stone,  which  has  withstood 
All  time  and  wear,  all  heat  and  cold, 

And  stands  to-day  clear,  bold, 
To  tell  us  how  our  fathers  lived 

In  seons  long  since  gone; 
Their  strifes  and  struggles  in  the  past 

For  us,  have  battles  won. 

But  greater,  e'en,  than  in  the  past, 

More  subtle,  more  intense 
Will  be  each  thought,  each  new  device, 

I  ask,  from  where,  from  whence? 
Now  soon  will  thought  fill  every  space, 

Be  printed  on  each  brow, 
For  God  is  thought,  and  thought  is  God, 

E'er  was,  and  is  so  now. 


130 


THE   SONG   OF    THE   KETTLE 

OH,  list  ye  now  to  kettle's  singing, 
It  says,  "Oh,  make  the  tea, 

For  supper  ready  is,  on  table, 
And  only  waits  for  thee." 

A  song  of  joy,  e'er  sang  the  kettle, 
When  guests  would  come  to  tea, 

Its  notes  were  loud  and  joyous  ever, 
It  said,  "  We  welcome  thee." 

Its  talk   most  joyous  is  sometimes, 

Then  sometimes  it  is  sad, 
Of  our  loved  dead,  it  sings  on  ever, 

It  speaks  now  of  our  lad 

Who  sailed  away  the  ocean  over, 

But  came  not  back  again, 
Beneath  the  waves  he  now  is  lying,  — 

So  long  he  there  hath  lain. 


THE    SONG    OF    THE    KETTLE 

It  often  speaks  of  our  dear  lassie, 

The  pride  and  joy  of  home, 
But  she  has  left  that  home  forever, 

Doth  o'er  the  world  now  roam. 

Again,  it  speaks  of  fireside  happy, 
Of  childhood's  joys  so  pure, 

It  speaks  of  times  when  all  together, 
We  thought  that  naught  could  lure 

Us  ever  from  the  side  of  mother, 
Where  heard  the  kettle  sing, 

Where  ever  heard  the  voice  of  father, 
And  childish  voices  ring. 

A  requiem  now  sings  kettle  ever, 

In  home  so  desolate, 
For  strangers  sit  around  the  fireside, 

And  at  the  table  wait. 

At  grandma's  house,  the  dear,  old  kettle 
On  crane-hook  sang  its  tune; 

At  grandma's  home  a  promised  visit, 
Was  thought  by  us  a  boon. 

132 


THE    SONG    OF    THE    KETTLE 

A  note  of  death  once  sang  the  kettle, 

Dear  grandmama  was  gone, 
Then  followed  soon  dear  grandpa  lonely, 

And  house  was  left  forlorn. 

Could  we  the  singing  follow  ever, 

Of  kettle  on  the  crane, 
Such  stories  sad,  such  stories  happy, 

Would  in  our  hearts  remain. 

Then  sing  ye  merry  notes,  O  kettle, 

For  in  our  hearts  they  lie; 
At  eve,  we  to  thy  singing  listen, 

And  think  of  days  gone  by. 


133 


WELCOME   TO 
(<  CHRISTIAN   ENDEAVORERS" 

O  WELCOME  to  the-"  State  of  the  Golden  Bear,'r 
The  "Golden  State"  poppy,  and  flowers  rare, 
The  golden-ripe  fruit,  and  the  golden  grain, 
The  golden  bright  summer  that  hath  no  rain. 
There's  gold  in  our  mountains,  gold  in  our  hills, 
There's  gold  in  our  banks  and  gold  in  our  rillsr 
Our  speech  is  a  golden  welcome  to  thee, 
To  golden-bright  sunsets,  and  moonlit  sea. 

Your  badges  display  of  purple  and  gold, 
And  over  our  land  your  banners  unfold; 
If  life  you  do  lead,  all  honest  and  true, 
A  welcome  all  golden  we  give  to  you. 
All  honest  "  Endeavorers  "  to  us  are  dear, 
We've  striven  to  give  you  welcome  and  cheer, 
May  nothing  unwelcome  here  meet  your  sight, 
And  no  one  your  badges  ignore  nor  slight. 


"CHRISTIAN    ENDEAVORERS" 

Dear  sisters,  you  double  welcome  I  give, 
Oh,  may  you  be  happy,  long  may  you  live. 
Will  say  now  to  Christians,  if  pure  your  faith, 
Prove  e'er  to  the  world,  you  live  by  that  faith, 
Hold  ever  to  right,  and  high  be  your  goal, 
For  under  life's  ship,  there's  many  a  shoal, 
And  sailing  without  a  compass  or  chart, 
You'll  surely  be  stranded,  e'en  at  the  start. 

Beware  of  the  bigot,  a  viper  he  is, 

Your  views  should  be  broad,  for  wisdom  is  his 

Who  thinks  that  perhaps  some  others  can  teach 

A  lesson  to  him;  another  may  reach 

The  same  lofty  height  of  wisdom  or  fame, 

And  looking  then  back  from  depths  whence  he 

came, 

Be  able  to  break  through  ignorant  bars, 
And  chant  the  glad  song  of  the  morning  stars. 

Dream  not  that  all  knowledge  belongs  to  you, 
For  others  can  think,  and  have  done  so,  too. 
Your  paths  have  been  pleasant,  your  ways  been 

peace, 
Your  chances  so  many,  they  will  increase. 

135 


"CHRISTIAN    ENDEAVORERS" 

From  East  to  far  West  o'er  mountains  you've 

crossed, 

O'er  desert  and  vale,  not  a  moment  lost. 
We  welcome  your  coming;  for  parting,  tears, 
We've  hoped  for  your  coming  many  long  years. 

As  God  gave  you  welcome  in  song  of  the  bird, 
In  mountains  so  grand  that  the  trees  engird, 
As  Nature  sweet  anthems  of  welcome  hath  sung, 
Through  flowers  and  birds,  to  which  God  gave 

tongue, 

So  all  of  His  creatures  should  e'er  do  His  will, 
From  forest  king  wild  to  sweet  whippoorwill. 
Then  flaunt  out  your  badges  of  purple  and  gold, 
Your  banners  right  royal  to  winds  unfold. 

Again  and  again  I  greet  you  with  love; 
On  earth  we  have  met,  we  will  meet  above; 
Your  coming  is  joy,  your  going  is  pain, 
By  coming  to  us  a  blessing  we  gain. 


136 


THE   BLANK   PAGE 

WE  find  no  page  in  life  that's  blank, 

No  page  but  hath  a  line; 
In  childhood  at  our  mother's  knee, 

Began  the  tracings  fine. 

There  is  no  blank  'tween  old  and  new, 
If  page  with  truth  doth  gleam, 

That  page  we'll  read  in  future  life, 
It  fruitless  will  not  seem. 

All  nature  writes  on  hearts,  on  lives, 
And  writes  with  truthful  hand, 

The  writing  ne'er  can  be  erased, 
The  tracings  e'er  must  stand. 

God's  finger  on  our  hearts  has  writ 
Commandments,  one  and  all; 

We  cannot  break  the  smallest  one, 
And  not  from  nature  fall. 

137 


THE    BLANK    PAGE 

The  page  called  blank,  'twixt  old  and  new, 

Is  pure  to  look  upon, 
But  Oh!  how  much  that  page  can  show, 

How  many  victories  won. 

O'er  selfish  greed,  o'er  selfish  lives, 

O'er  frailties  and  o'er  sin. 
The  page  a  blank  will  never  be, 

Where  man  on  earth  hath  been. 

The  breaking  from  the  old  beliefs 

Intended  was  by  God, 
Progression  e'er  will  be  the  rule, 

While  earth  by  man  is  trod. 

Religion,  too,  must  forward  go, 

Must  keep  now  in  advance 
Of  dogmas,  creeds,  and  ignorance, 

Give  love  and  truth  a  chance. 

For  creeds  can  never  save  a  soul, 

And  dogmas  are  too  weak 
For  man  to  pin  his  faith  upon,— 

Of  them  with  reverence  speak. 

138 


THE    BLANK    PAGE 

For  God  doth  speak  to  us  to-day 

As  much  as  in  the  past, 
He  speaks  in  all  his  wondrous  works, 

His  word  will  always  last. 

So  do  not  speak  of  pages  blank, 

There  never  yet  was  one, 
And  page  which  seems  the  fairest  now 

Shows  markings  which  are  done 

By  time  and  by  eternity. 

Time's  finger  writes  with  speed, 
And  writes  with  ink  that  never  fades, 

And  traces  every  deed. 

In  future  life  we  ope  the  book, 

See  all  the  tracings  deep, 
But  never  can  erase  one  word, 

E'en  though  at  some  we  weep. 

The  book  is  never  closed  to  us, 
The  book  of  life  nor  death, 

In  vain  we  search  for  one  blank  page, 
Nor  can  erase  by  stealth 

139 


THE    BLANK    PAGE 

A  wicked  thought,  an  unkind  word, 

A  duty  left  undone. 
So  have  your  book  well  filled  with  love, 

Nor  fear  the  light  of  sun 

On  word  nor  deed,  nor  act  of  yours 

On  this,  the  lower  plane. 
Then  you'll  not  wish  to  find  blank  page, 

Nor  lived  your  life  in  vain. 


140 


THOUGHT-WEAVING 

WHEN  born  in  the  brain  is  thought- weaving? 

And  mind  have  control,  life  to  sway? 
'Fore  life  e'en  began  there  was  thought  growth, 

It  increases  in  strength  every  day. 

The  thought  is  so  wonderful  ever, 

That  thought  is  now  everywhere, 
All  nature  is  filled  with  its  glories, 

And  who  will  deny  this,  or  dare 
To  limit  its  growth  or  endurance, 

Or  say  it  began  e'er  with  man, 
Or  ends  with  the  death  of  the  creature, 

Its  height  or  depth  we  can  span. 

For  /'/  is  a  beautiful  seedling 

We  watch  with  delight  every  day, 

The  more  it  is  hoed,  pruned,  and  watered, 
The  stronger  becomes  it  alway. 

141 


THOUGHT-WEAVING 

But  left  to  its  own  weak  devices, 

Is  choked  by  the  brambles  and  weeds, 
And  soon  there'll  be  nothing  of  beauty,— 

But  study  and  work  aye  succeeds 
In  bringing  all  mind  and  all  matter 

From  depth  of  the  earth  and  the  soul; 
To  cultivate  both,  our  ambition, 

Infinity's  height  be  our  goal. 


We  have  all  the  future  to  work  in, 

What  grand  possibilities  for  man, 
We  gain  but  a  little  in  lifetime, 

But  glad  that  in  life  we  began 
To  think  and  to  build  for  our  future 

Foundation  not  laid  in  the  sand, 
But  grounded  on  rocks  of  endurance, 

Forever  and  aye  will  it  stand. 


Will  stand  as  a  tower  of  wonder, 
Will  stand  as  a  rock  in  its  strength, 

And  never  will  fall,  nor  e'er  crumble, 
Increases  each  day  till  at  length 

142 


THOUGHT-WEAVING 

We  stand  on  its  apex  of  grandeur, 

From  heights  of  great  splendor  look  down, 

And  beckon  and  help  our  dear  brother, 
But  at  his  mistakes  never  frown. 


Thus  working  and  building  for  soul  growth, 

At  present,  and  future,  alway, 
A  chain  of  deep  wisdom  thus  welding, 

Forever  this  world  it  will  swav. 


And  also  the  world  of  our  future 

Its  power  will  ever  confess. 
Thus  working  and  building  for  others, 

Each  day  and  each  hour  must  we  press 
All  thought  and  desire  of  our  being, 

Improving  and  helping  mankind; 
By  helping  each  other  in  doing, 

Much  help  for  ourselves  we  can  find. 

We  think,  and  must  build  on  forever; 

E'en  then  the  grand  work  is  not  done, 
For  peoples  who  live  and  come  after 

Will  take  up  the  thought  we  have  spun, 

143 


THOUGHT-WEAVING 

And  weave  into  beautiful  fabric, 
If  given  them  beautiful  thread. 

But  dull,  and  so  rough  is  the  texture, 
If  chosen  some  words  we  have  said, 


And  weave  them  all  into  thought  tissue, 

And  send  them  all  forth  into  life, 
To  take  up  as  wrangle  and  tangle, 

Which  gives  to  mankind  only  strife. 
So  let  us  each  give  for  the  weaving, 

Fast  colors,  so  shining  and  bright, 
And  thoughts  all  so  fine  in  their  texture, 

Our  lives  will  seem  woven  of  light.    • 


But  strong  and  enduring  forever 

The  words  which  we  speak  to  each  one, 
Thus  teaching  and  helping  each  other, 

To  live  for  themselves  not  alone. 
And  thus  a  strong  chain  will  be  welded, 

Worth  more  than  e'en  silver  or  gold; 
Its  links  will  be  woven  of  love  deeds, 

That  will  all  humanity  hold. 

144 


SOUL   COMMUNION 

WE  go  the  highways  into, 

With  never  thought  nor  care, 
We  pass  hosts  innumerable, 

Yet  scarcely  e'er  would  dare 
To  give  our  hand  to  stranger 

We  jostle  on  the  street, 
Or  hope,  as  now  we  're  passing, 

Again  we  him  should  meet. 

Our  fate  has  passed  beyond  us, 
Our  life  to  others'  care, 

Again,  our  souls  ne'er  parted, 
Though  meetings  few  and  rare. 

Were  we  before  life  destined 
This  soul  to  meet  and  love? 

And  ever  through  eternity, 
On  earth,  or  e'er  above, 

145 


SOUL    COMMUNION 

To  be  in  sweet  communion? 

And  souls  to  souls  e'er  speak, 
Though  words  and  looks  be  wanting, 

And  hearts  throb  slow  and  weak? 

The  mystery  of  creation  ! 

The  mystery  of  our  lives  ! 
The  meaning  ne'er  we  fathom, 

Howsoever  we  may  strive. 

We  know  and  love  each  other, 

Though  ne'er  on  earth  we  meet, 
Will  look  for  others  coming, 

With  loving  words  them  greet, 
In  land  of  heart  and  soul-thought, 

In  future  realms  of  life, 
For  angels  guide  and  guard  us 

From  out  this  world's  fierce  strife. 

They  watch  and  try  to  help  us, 

They  grieve  if  we  do  sin, 
They  sing  a  song  of  gladness, 

When  vict'ries  we  do  win. 

146 


SOUL    COMMUNION 

When  hearts  and  lives  are  purer, 

We'll  have  no  selfish  will, 
Can  join  our  loved  in  singing, 

Oh,  peace,  sad  heart,  be  still. 
Our  souls  be  clothed  with  splendor, 

Our  robes  be  washed  with  tears 
Of  pity  for  the  sinful, 

We  will  allay  his  fears. 

Although  on  earth  it's  better 

To  expiate  all  sin, 
There  is  a  chance  hereafter, 

And  all  who  try,  may  win. 
And  peace  will  come  from  doing, 

And  helping  others,  too, 
To  do  God's  will  so  perfect, 

Be  Gentile,  he,  or  Jew. 


WARRING   OF   THE   ELEMENTS 

THE  wind  is  singing  lullabys, 

All  nature  putting  to  sleep, 
Again  with  angry  mutterings, 

The  clouds  it  causeth  to  weep. 
With  now  a  shriek  of  defiance 

The  wind  claims  every  right, 
With  wailings  fierce  and  most  fearful,. 

Asserts  its  power  and  might. 


Then  moaning,  groaning  in  anguish^ 

E'en  like  a  soul  gone  astray, 
Now  gently  coaxing  and  soothing, 

Its  will  yet  having  alway. 
It  shrieks  a  call  to  the  ocean, 

Whose  waves  doth  answer  in  rage,. 
The  wind's  demoniac  laughter 

The  seas  in  combat  engage. 

148 


WARRING    OF    THE    ELEMENTS 

It  wrecks  a  ship  on  its  journey, 

Thus  breaking  hearts  by  the  score, 
Then  wafts  a  bark  to  its  landing, 

And  safely  brings  it  to  shore. 
The  thunders  speak  to  the  mountains, 

In  mutterings  low  and  deep, 
The  lightnings  flash  then  with  malice, 

The  clouds  with  sorrow  do  weep. 


A  voice  then  chides  the  wind's  anger, 

The  waves  hear  "The  still,  small  voice," 
And  answer  back  to  their  Maker, 

Now  harmony  is  their  choice. 
The  strife  has  ceased  in  a  moment, 

All  nature  wears  a  sweet  smile, 
For  God  speaks  peace  to  His  cohorts, 

His  voice  doth  nature  beguile. 


149 


THE    FAITH    OF    MY   MOTHER 

OH,  give  me  the  faith  of  my  mother, 
The  faith  I  believed  in  of  yore, 

The  faith  that  to  her  is  a  comfort, 
The  faith  beyond  science  or  lore. 

I've  delved  in  the  depths  of  earth's  bosom, 
Traced  science  on  every  hand, 

I  've  scanned  the  broad  heavens  above  me, 
And  traveled  in  every  land. 

The  depths  of  the  ocean  has  brought  me 

Vast  treasures,  most  gorgeous  and  grand. 
Old  Egypt's  pyramids  I  've  studied, 
Surrounded  by  burning,  white  sand. 

The  mountains  have  given  their  treasures, 
The  deserts  been  conquered  by  me, 

But  still  an  unrest  is  within  me, 
In  thinking,  dear  mother,  of  thee. 

150 


THE    FAITH    OF    MY    MOTHER 

All  knowledge  to  me  seems  most  worthless, 
My  wanderings  seem  to  me  vain, 

Beside  the  calm  peace  of  my  mother, 
That's  worth  all  the  world  to  obtain. 

She  neither  knows  Greek  nor  much  Latin, 
And  Hebrew  to  her  is  a  farce, 

She  knows  not  one  problem  in  Euclid, 
In  French,  not  one  line  can  she  parse. 

Her  faith  is  worth  more  than  much  travel, 
Worth  more  than  e'en  honor  or  fame, 

Worth  more  than  fine  gold  or  pure  silver, 
That 's  happiness  only  in  name. 

I  long  for  the  faith  of  my  mother, 
I  long  for  her  calm,  peaceful  rest, 

I  long  to  sit  down  now  beside  her, 
That  heart  will  be  eased  of  unrest. 

The  pure,  simple  faith  of  my  mother, 
Unknown  and  undreamed  of  by  me, 

Believing  and  hoping  forever, 
So  trusting  and  faithful  is  she. 

15* 


THE    FAITH    OF    MY    MOTHER 

Then  give  me  the  faith  of  my  mother, 
'Fore  cankering  doubt  held  sway; 

Not  doubting  this  faith,  I  was  happy, 
Believed  I,  as  mother,  alway. 

Her  faith  is  so  sweet  and  so  simple, 

To  her  an  abiding,  deep  truth. 
Then,  why  should  these  doubts  creep  in  ever? 

Was  trusting  and  happy  in  youth. 

My  reason  doth  ever  assure  me 
That  only  the  truth  can  withstand 

The  present  strong  search-light  of  science, 
Now  flashing  throughout  this  fair  land. 

I  've  studied  and  weighed  well  all  matter, 
'  Mong  molecules  long  have  I  been, 

And  reason  has  long  ago  told  me, 
Life's  battles  we  ever  must  win. 

But  give  me  the  heights  of  Mount  Pisgah, 
Instead  of  cold  Babylon's  stream, 

The  joy  and  the  peace  of  believing, 
E'en  though  it  be  fallacy's  dream. 


152 


THE    FAITH    OF    MY    MOTHER 

When  death  takes  from  home  the  dear  mother, 
How  sad  will  the  fireside  then  be; 

We  '11  hold  in  our  memory  forever, 
How  faithful  and  loving  was  she. 


153 


IMMORTALITY 

THE  mortal  eye  hath  never  seen 

The  glories  of  the  spheres, 
The  mortal  ear  hath  never  heard 

The  melodies  of  years, 
Of  happy  song  in  that  near  land, 

Where  spirits  bright  e'er  dwell, 
Where  all  is  joyous  singing  sweet, 

And  never  funeral  knell. 


The  mortal  brain  can  never  know, 

In  heav'n  what  we  are  taught, 
The  mortal  strength  can  never  feel, 

The  force  that  e'er  hath  wrought 
All  mortal  life,  all  mortal  thought. 

Immortal  then  we  '11  be, 
When  mortal  life  we  care  not  for, 

Oh  !  Immortality. 

154 


IMMORTALITY 

Eye  hath  not  seen,  ear  hath  not  heard 

What  we  now  hear  and  see, 
The  trees,  the  flowers,  and  the  birds, 

And  all  the  melody 
Of  angel  voices,  sweetly  pure, 

Of  angel  forms  divine, 
Of  all  the  throng  who  float  around, 

On  clouds  of  ether  fine. 


155 


RIGHT 

ON  this  earth,  with  all  mankind, 
Will  something  e'er  go  wrong; 

Discord  in  the  life  alway, 
And  discord  in  the  song. 

We  must  plan  our  life-work  aye, 
And  keep  this  thought  in  view, 

Knowing  this  hath  ever  been, 
In  old  as  well  as  new. 

Disappointments  oft  must  come, 

In  life  of  every  man, 
E'er  hath  been,  and  e'er  will  be, 

And  we  must  for  them  plan. 

Well  it  is  that  this  is  so, 

Else  life  would  be  too  bright; 

We  would  wish  to  stay  on  earth, 
Not  wish  for  brighter  light. 

156 


RIGHT 

All  mankind  complain  of  wrong, 

But  if  all  men  would  try 
Wrongs  to  right,  live  right  themselves, 

Would  right  come  by  and  by. 

Walls  of  right  must  each  one  build 
In  front  of  his  heart's  door, 

Then  will  wrong  be  e'er  walled  out, 
And  right  be  evermore. 

Every  little  foolish  frown, 

And  every  unkind  word 
Banished  be,  from  brow  and  tongue, 

Then  love  our  hearts  will  gird. 

Right  is  right,  and  wrong  is  wrong, 
There  is  no  middle  ground; 

Right  we  live,  or  wrong  we  do, 
By  one,  is  life  aye  bound. 

"  Do  to  others  as  you  wish 
That  they  should  do  to  you," 

If  this  Golden  Rule  all  keep, 
No  one  his   life  would  rue. 

157 


PRAISE 

LET  ev'ry  thing  that  now  hath  breath 
Give  praise  to  Lord  of  Hosts, 

For  nature  ever  praise  doth  give, 
Of  praise  she  never  boasts. 

But  men  will  say  some  simple  words, 

And  speak  of  them  as  prayer, 
And  then  expect  all  other  men 

With  him  these  words  to  share. 
Their  friends  may  pray,  as  birdlings  pray, 

With  songs  of  mirth  and  joy, 
With  loud  hosannas  to  their  God, 

Who  never  souls  destroy. 

All  life  hath  breath  to  praise  the  Lord, 

All  trees  can  sing  a  song 
Of  adoration  to  the  Lord; 

And  all  the  mighty  throng 

158 


PRAISE 

Of  beasts,  of  birds,  of  reptiles,  too, 

The  sea,  and  all  therein, 
The  mountains,  vales,  and  rivers  all, 

From  God  a  smile  may  win. 

And  man,  no  more  than  lowest  life, 

For  all  belong  to  Him, 
Created  they  to  do  His  will, 

They  sing  to  God  a  hymn 
Of  praise,  of  joy,  and  anthems  sweet 

To  God  on  high,  the  King, — 
To  Lord,  Jehovah,  or  what  name 

You  choose  of  Him  to  sing. 

For  God  is  God,  the  All  in  All, 

No  one  divides  His  praise, 
Our  hearts  are  filled  with  one  great  love, 

To  God  our  voices  raise. 


159 


QUESTION 

DOST  Thou,  Jehovah,  need  our  prayers? 

Dost  ask  Thy  children  down  to | bow 
With  humbled  heads  and  contrite  hearts, 

And  every  sin  to  avow? 

Can  simple  creatures,  such  as  we, 
Interpret  e'en  Thy  smallest  law? 

Or  of  Thy  power  can  we  know  aught? 
We  with  Thy  mandates  cannot  war. 

Thou  knowest,  Thou  Omnipotent, 
How  weak  and  simple  e'er  are  we, 

Wilt  pity  our  transgressions  all, 
We  strive  so  hard  to  live  for  Thee. 

Repentest  Thou  that  man  was  made? 

He  was  Thy  noblest,  grandest  thought, 
To  him  eternity  bequeathed, 

From  lowest  state  Thou  hast  him  brought. 

1 60 


QUESTION 

But  if  he  break  Thy  smallest  law, 
Effect  will  surely  follow  cause, 

Thy  mandates  all  most  perfect  are, 
And  God  and  nature  never  wars. 


161 


PANTHEISM 

THE  center  of  the  universe 

Is  spirit,  which  is  God; 
It  radiates  to  every  point 

Wherever  man  hath  trod, 
Or  life  in  lowest  form  is  known, 

The  spirit,  God,  is  there; 
All  life  is  spirit;  spirit,  life, 

And  life  is  everywhere. 


There's  spirit  life  in  every  thing 

That  e'er  we  see  or  know, 
In  trees,  in  flowers,  e'en  in  rocks, 

For  all  things  ever  grow, 
From  center  of  the  universe; 

The  stars,  the  moon,  the  sun, 
Around  the  center  radiate, 

Their  course  is  never  run. 

162 


PANTHEISM 

The  God  is  heat,  the  God  is  light, 
The  God  is  food  and  drink, 

The  God  is  thought  and  everything 
There  is,  or  we  can  think. 


163 


"ETERNAL    CITY" 

"  ETERNAL  City  "  of  our  God 

We'll  travel  far  to  reach; 
"  Eternal  City,"  oft  you  hear, 

And  parsons  of  it  preach. 
"  Eternal  Spirit,"  God  of  love, 

Our  weakness  knows  full  well, 
He  pities  our  transgressions  all, 

To  better  lives,  no  knell. 


"  Eternal  homes"  well  peopled  are 

With  spirits  from  this  earth, 
Who,  growing  tired  and  weary  all, 

Have  struggled  for  this  birth. 
"Eternal  fire"  is  never  quenched, 

For  it  is  Wisdom's  light, 
And  it  with  truth  is  always  fed, 

Will  blaze  o'er  ignorant  night. 

164 


''ETERNAL    CITY" 

"  Eternal  life  "  bequeathed  to  all, 

An  heritage  from  God, 
Is  life  on  life,  beyond  e'en  thought, 

And  is  by  man  e'er  trod. 
41  Eternal  Spirit"  lies  within 

The  garment  God  did  give, 
And  when  released  from  bondage  strong, 

The  spirit  still  will  live. 

41  Eternal  City"  filled  with  dead, 

It  is  the  place  of  gnomes, 
It  ever  was,  it  e'er  will  be, 

Will  ever  be  the  homes 
Of  all  mankind  who  ever  lived, 

For  all  mankind  must  die; 
To  pass  to  glorious  homes  above, 

He  in  the  grave  must  lie. 


165 


THE   ANGEL   BOATMAN 

A  PHANTOM  boat  was  coming, 

An  angel  at  the  wheel, 
To  go,  I  was  all  ready, 

But  mother's  arms  did  steal 
Me  from  the  boatman's  clasping, 

Away  from  all  his  wiles, 
Again  in  arms  of  mother 

I'm  held  with  loving  smiles. 


Then  sailed  away  the  boatman, 

I  felt  his  icy  breath, 
I  shall  forget  it  never — 

This  boatman's  name  is  Death. 
He  gave  a  farewell  greeting, 

And  said  he'd  come  again, 
And  charged  me  to  be  ready, 

He  would  not  come  in  vain. 

166 


THE    ANGEL    BOATMAN 

Long  years  have  passed  since  parting 

With  angel  boatman,  Death, 
I  see  him  now  approaching, 

And  feel  his  icy  breath. 
This  time  I  greet  his  coming 

With  love,  put  out  my  hand, 
I'm  anxious  for  the  meeting, 

Hope  safely  he  will  land. 

With  smiles  I  greet  the  boatman, 

With  joy  step  on  his  boat, 
I'm  leaving  cares  and  troubles, 

With  peace  will  don  Death's  coat. 
Death  now  hauls  in  the  anchor, 

Spreads  all  the  sails  on  high, 
We  sail  away  together, 

The  angel,  Death,  and  I. 


167 


WE   KNOW  NOT  WHAT  A   DAY  WILL 
BRING   FORTH 


OH,  bright  is  the  morning", 
No  cloud  in  the  sky; 

The  birds  are  all  singing, 
So  why  should  not  I? 


My  home  is  unbroken, 
All  happy  and  bright, 

No  cloud  in  my  home-life, 
There's  nothing  but  light. 


Oh,  why  should  there  ever 
Be  misery  and  woe? 

Why  should  there  not  always 
Bright  flowers  e'er  grow? 

168 


WE    KNOW    NOT 

Why  should  there  be  sickness? 

Why  should  there  be  want? 
And  only  peace  ever, 

And  death  us  not  daunt? 


Our  lives  would  be  useless, 
No  good  would  we  do, 

If  grief  there  were  never, 
Our  sky  always  blue. 

For  grief  brings  out  beauties 
That  joy  could  ne'er  do: 

Should  sun  shine  on  ever, 
Its  brightness  we'd  rue. 


169 


WE    KNOW    NOT 

The  cloud  is  now  coming, 
As  black  as  the  night. 

It  now  is  as  gloomy, 
As  morning  was  light. 

It  sweeps  o'er  the  household, 
And  fills  it  with  dread, 

The  storm  has  now  broken, 
A  loved  one  is  dead. 

How  little  we  know  what 
A  day  hath  in  store, 

All  joy  and  all  gladness 
Have  left  evermore. 

The  brighter  the  morning, 
The  darker  the  night. 

Prepare,  then,  for  darkness, 
It's  sure  as  the  light. 


170 


TO    AN    INVALID    FRIEND 

SHUT  in  through  illness,  long  you've  been, 
Shut  in  your  room  and  from  the  din 
Of  envy,  malice,  and  all  strife, 
For  who  would  envy  you  your  life? 
You  garnered  knowledge  in  the  past, 
And  wisdom,  too,  which  e'er  will  last, 
A  storehouse  rich  has  been  your  mind, 
As  needed  now,  you  joy  will  find. 


The  world  knows  not  the  peace  within, 
Nor  of  the  joy  which  you  do  win; 
If  you  should  wish  you  could  not  sin 
While  in  your  room  you  are  shut  in. 
I  give  you  benedictions  sweet: 
Oh,  cast  your  burdens  at  the  feet 
Of  Him  who  will  your  burdens  bear, 
Your  troubles  then  are  light  as  air. 

171 


TO    AN    INVALID    FRIEND 

If  then  shut  in  you  will  not  mind, 
For  joys  shut  in  you  also  find, 
And  pleasures,  too,  you  think  not  of, 
And  that  outsiders  wot  not  of. 
You  're  not  shut  in,  nor  e'er  can  be 
While  sunshine  bright  is  left  for  thee, 
And  in  .your  mind  you  have  no  doubt, 
It's  better  than  to  be  shut  out. 


172 


TOO   LATE 

GIVE  words  of  kindness  ever, 

To  weary  and  forlorn, 
Be  never  of  them  chary, 

Love  is  of  kindness  born. 

Is  born  of  words  e'er  gentle, 

Bequeathed  is  then  Love's  power, 

To  help  the  poor  and  needy, 
On  them  rich  blessings  shower. 

Oh!  speak  kind  words  in  season, 
Wait  not  to  plant  a  flower 

On  grave  of  him  who,  weary, 

Changed  earth  for  heaven's  bower. 

The  tears  you  shed  o'er  coffin, 
Heals  not  the  broken  heart, 

Regrets  have  come  too  tardy, 

Harsh  words  have  done  their  part. 

173 


TOO    LATE 

For  heart  is  cold  in  death  now, 
In  sorrow  must  you  bow, 

And  all  regrets  are  useless, 

Though  tears  may  wet  the  brow. 

And  sobs  of  deepest  anguish 
Burst  forth  from  pallid  lips, 

All  life  to  you  seems  futile, 
As  dregs  of  grief  you  sip. 

You  plant  the  rose  and  lily 
Within  the  cold,  damp  earth; 

Perhaps  had  you  been  kinder, 
And  love-deeds  not  so  dearth, 

The  heart  that  now  is  sleeping 
Would  throb  and  beat  with  joy, 

And  life  to  you  be  sweeter, 
Not  cankered  by  alloy. 

Then,  friend,  by  grief  learn  lesson, 

Wait  not  until  too  late 
To  plant  in  life  Love's  flowers, 

To  none  give  angry  hate. 

174 


DIOGENES    MAY   STILL   SEARCH 

LAMP  now  take  and  search  all  o'er, 

Look  ye  for  an  honest  man, 
When  you  find  the  one  you  seek, 

Join  him  ever  to  your  clan. 

Honest  he  should  be  in  thought, 

Honest  he  in  every  deed, 
Honest  he  for  honor's  sake, 

Honesty  should  be  his  creed. 

Soul  and  heart  should  be  a  glass, 
E'er  reflecting  every  thought; 

Bright  the  mirror  of  his  soul, 

Bright  with  works  that  he  hath  wrought. 

He  '11  not  fear  the  noonday  sun, 

If  his  every  thought  be  pure; 
He'll  not  fear  the  gaze  of  man, 

Nor  will  evil  him  allure. 


175 


TURN    BACK 

TEMPTATIONS  assail  you 

On  your  way  through  life, 
Be  brave  and  courageous 

Whate'er  be  your  strife; 
You'll  fall  not  by  wayside, 

Nor  help  will  you  lack; 
If  pathways  be  evil, 

Turn  back,  oh,  turn  back! 

If  you  are  dishonest, 

Advantage  you  take 
Of  some  one  who  trusts  you, 

And  money  you  make, 
'Twill  be  a  Nemesis 

E'er  haunting  your  track, 
And  warning  you  ever, 

Turn  back,  oh,  turn  back! 

The  wine  cup  is  offered, 
You  take  but  a  sip, 

You  know  it  will  injure, 
You'll  make  but  one  slip. 

176 


TURN    BACK 

You  say  it  is  needed, 
Your  system  doth  lack 

All  tone  and  all  vigor, 
Turn  back,  oh,  turn  back! 

Escape  degradation, 

Before  it's  too  late; 
When  evil  assails  you 

'One  moment  just  wait; 
Disgrace  is  a  siren, 

For  wiles  doth  not  lack, 
Go  forth  not  to  meet  her, 

Turn  back,  oh,  turn  back! 

When  this  life  is  over, 

You  take  up  the  next, 
You  will  be  glad  ever 

You  took  for  your  text 
These  words  of  my  warning; 

These  words  will  ne'er  lack 
All  beauty  of  rhythm, 

Turn  back,  oh,  turn  back! 


177 


JUSTICE 

'Tis  meet  that  Justice  should  be  blind, 

For  Justice  could  not  bear 
To  stand  erect  and  gaze  upon 

Injustice  everywhere. 
She's  pictured  aye  with  head  erect, 

A  bandage  o'er  her  eyes, 
The  scales  she  holds  with  tightened  grasp, 

The  sword  by  side  ne'er  lies. 

But  ever  in  her  hands  she  holds 

The  sword  and  also  scales, 
Which  have  not  fallen  from  her  eyes; 

She  listens  not  to  wails 
Of  those  who  fall  the  wayside  by, 

Crushed  low  beneath  the  heel 
Of  strong  injustice,  never  blind. 

It  makes  mankind  e'er  feel 

178 


JUSTICE 

That  sometimes  if  she'd-  ope  her  eyes 
And  gaze  around  by  stealth, 

She'd  drop  the  scales  and  use  the  sword 
Upon  ill-gotten  wealth. 

But  e'er  she  stands  with  marble  heart, 

And  eyes  fast  closed  on  sin, 
And  is  of  little  use  to  man 

In  all  the  world's  fierce  din 
For  wealth,  for  power,  and  for  fame, 

Whichever  is  the  thought 
Of  nearly  all  who  live  to-day, 

On  every  breeze  its  caught. 

So  put  an  extra  bandage  on 

Dear  Justice's  blinded  eyes, 
Another  pair  of  scales  her  give, 

For  sharper  sword  she  cries. 


179 


MERCY 

HATH  Mercy  a  heart  e'er  so  gentle, 

And  face  so  serene  and  mild, 
That  she  is  imposed  upon  ever, 

This  gentle,  sweet,  loving  child. 
She  ever  gives  help  to  the  helpless, 

With  pity  and  love  doth  seek 
To  comfort  the  heart  of  the  mourner, 

And  Mercy  is  ever  meek. 


She  ever  doth  pity  the  sinner, 

Yet  pity  hath  not  for  sin, 
Dear  Mercy  is  loving  and  watchful, 

And  ever  doth  try  to  win 
The  wicked  from  all  their  wickedness; 

Hath  mercy  on  all  mankind; 
Good  seeing  in  all  of  God's  creatures, 

Of  evil  is  she  not  blind. 

1 80 


MERCY 

Twin  sister  of  Chanty,  Mercy, 

They  ever  join  in  good  deeds, 
If  one  for  a  moment  is  absent, 

The  other  with  joy  e'er  leads. 
These  sisters  to  all  are  a  blessing, 

With  faces  so  sweet  and  pure, 
All  peoples  do  welcome  them  gladly 

To  homes,  trying  them  to  lure. 


181 


LOVE 

DEAR  Love  has  had  his  wings  well  clipped, 

No  more  can  fly  aloft, 
No  more  can  play  the  gallant  boy 

With  girls  whose  hearts  are  soft. 

Full  many  years  he  's  ruled  the  world, 

Hath  ever  had  full  swing, 
But  now  he's  clipped  so  very  close, 

No  use  is  either  wing. 

He  so  conceited  e'er  hath  been, 

And  carried  such  high  head, 
That  now  when  low  his  pinions  droop. 

He  'd  better  far  be  dead. 

His  wings,  perhaps,  will  grow  again, 

But  when  Love  once  is  dead, 
He'd  better  be  interred  so  deep 

That  ne'er  again  his  head 

182 


LOVE 

Will  rise  to  bless  or  curse  the  race, 

Then  love  no  more  will  be; 
From  heights  of  joy  be  hurled  far  down 

To  depths  of  misery. 

Then  fare  thee  well,  O  dearest  boy! 

Farewell,  O  pretty  lad! 
From  bad  to  worse  I  fear  you'll  grow, 

Thou  art  not  now  all  bad. 

Thou  earnest  once  to  visit  me, 
I  gave  thee  welcome,  sweet, 

Thyself  thou  madest  much  at  home, 
With  love  did  e'er  me  greet. 

That  was  before  thy  wings  were  clipped, 

Too  soon  you  tired  grew 
Of  greetings  sweet,  and  of  my  home, 

So  spread  your  wings  and  flew. 


183 


HONESTY 

BE  honest  in  your  dealings, 
Be  honest  in  your  thought, 

And  watch  yourself,  not  others, 
And  you  will  ne'er  be  caught 

In  acts  that  are  unworthy 

Your  manhood  and  your  birth, 

And  this  will  be  inheritance 
Of  value,  and  much  worth. 

Exceeding  gold  the  finest, 
Beyond  the  highest  fame, 

Of  what  could  you  be  prouder 
Than  of  an  honest  name? 

In  little  things  deal  justly, 
For  you  must  surely  know 

There  ne'er  was  truer  saying 

Than  "What  you  reap  you  sow." 

184 


HONESTY 

Give  always  fullest  measure, 

E'en  running  o'er  is  best, 
Give  honest,  good  weight  ever, 

And  this  your  truth  will  test. 

In  little  things  be  trusty, 
This  helps  you  e'er  in  great, 

Watch  closely  all  your  dealings, 
Both  early  and  e'er  late. 

When  every  one  applieth 

This  rule  unto  himself, 
Mankind  will  live  for  honor, 

Instead  of  hoarding  pelf. 

'Twill  never  happy  make  you, 

Dishonestly  secured, 
But  only  grief  and  misery 

By  all  must  be  endured 

Who  gather  wealth  unjustly, 
No  thought  of  others  weal, 

Who  push  and  cheat  their  neighbors, 
To  get  the  greater  deal. 

185 


HONESTY 

Inscribed  have  on  your  banner 
Truth,  in  letters  of  gold, 

The  thought  keep  aye  before  you, 
And  live  it  fearless,  bold. 


186 


BEAR  YE  ONE  ANOTHER'S  BURDENS 

OH,  bear  ye  one  another's  burdens, 

Seek  for  good  instead  of  ill, 
Life  is  too  short  for  disagreements. 

"  Peace  on  earth,  for  man  good  will." 

You'll  ever  find  what  you  do  look  for, 

Look  within  and  faults  you'll  see 
You  never  thought,  nor  ever  dreamed  of, 

Faults  that  grow,  and  e'er  will  be 
Observed  by  all  who  come  in  contact 

With  your  lives,  or  with  your  work. 
"  So  pluck  the  beam  from  out  your  own 
eyes," 

"Then  in  others  motes  will  lurk." 

Perhaps  you  may  be  too  self-righteous, 
Seeing  not  your  own  ill  deeds, 

But  ever  looking,  waiting,  watching, 
Thus  with  discord  sowing  seeds, 

187 


BEAR  YE  ONE  ANOTHER'S  BURDENS 

That,  bringing  forth  with  great  abundance, 
Growing  fast  will  fill  all  space 

That 's  sacred  to  love's  sweetest  fragrance, 
Thus  bring  evil  to  the  race. 

Then  cultivate  the  germs  of  kindness, 

Which  will  drive  the  brambles  out, 
And  fill  your  hearts  with  joy  and  gladness, 

Thus  dissension  you  will  rout. 
Again,  I  say,  have  no  fault-finding 

In  your  home,  nor  in  your  heart, 
Then    peace    will    reign,    and   sweet   com- 
munion 

In  your  lives  will  have  a  part. 


188 


RESIGNATION 

IF  many  ills  befall  you, 

Resigned  must  you  e'er  be, 
Relief  may  come  to-morrow, 

And  help  be  given  thee. 
If  friends  are  false  and  faithless, 

Yourself  be  kind  and  true, 
Then  life  will  be  a  blessing, 

And  nothing  you  will  rue. 


If  sickness  comes  upon  you, 

Be  patient  in  your  pain, 
For  then  you'll  have  more  pity 

If  grief  is  on  you  lain. 
Distressed  and  so  disheartened, 

With  naught  of  joy  in  life, 
All  loss  and  disappointment, 

No  peace,  nd  hope,  all  strife. 

189 


RESIGNATION 

If  poverty  o'ertakes  you, 

A  little  you  can  spare 
To  thy  unhappy  brother, 

And  have  him  in  thy  care. 
At  last,  poor,  weary  mortal, 

Thy  ills  will  blessings  prove, 
And  life  which  is  before  thee, 

With  peace  and  joy  will  move 


But  only  brave  endurance 

Can  hope  to  win  a  crown, 
Let  every  step  be  forward, 

And  always  up,  not  down. 
Give  pity,  not  unkindness, 

To  sinful  and  profane, 
Your  life  has  been  in  sunlight, 

Theirs  in  a  narrow  lane 


Where  only  weeds  are  growing, 
Where  sun  doth  seldom  shine, 

And  dark  and  noisome  reptiles 
Are  crawling  in  their  slime. 

190 


RESIGNATION 

There  sin  is  but  a  by-word, 
There  good  is  scarcely  known, 

There  fever  and  pestilence 
By  every  wind  is  blown. 


If  grief  and  disappointment 

Fills  all  your  life  with  cares, 
Go  seek  thy  suffering  brother, 

And  give  him  wheat,  not  tares. 
The  wheat  should  be  encouragement, 

Give  it  to  one  and  all; 
The  tares  are  words  of  censure, 

Which  build  a  solid  wall 


Of  anger,  pride,  and  hatred, 

So  high,  so  broad,  so  strong, 
That  years  of  love  and  patience 

Can  scarce  undo  the  wrong 
Which  to  yourselves  and  others 

You've  built  with  careless  thought; 
Then  think,  and  plan  your  life-work, 

That  only  good  be  wrought. 

191 


RESIGNATION 

And  be  resigned  and  patient, 

The  bridge  cannot  be  crossed 
The  day  before  you  reach  it, 

Nor  on  the  waves  be  tossed 
The  bark  before  you've  launched  it. 

The  voyage  don't  begin 
Before  you  reach  the  river 

And  step  the  boat  within. 


You  ne'er  may  take  the  journey, 

The  bridge  be  never  crossed; 
The  boat,  if  never  builded, 

On  sea  will  not  be  tossed. 
If  we  go  blindly  forward, 

Care  meeting  on  the  road, 
When,  after  having  hailed  her, 

We  cannot  bear  the  load 


Which  she  has  now  to  give  us, 
Has  brought  us  from  afar, 

To  heap  upon  our  shoulders, 
Our  peace  and  gladness  mar. 

192 


RESIGNATION 

So  turn  your  back  on  trouble, 

Step  not  upon  the  boat; 
14  The  bridge  of  sighs  "  cross  never, 
Nor  stand  upon  the  moat 

Of  hopes  forever  buried, 

But  live  your  life  to-day, 
And  garner  strength  and  wisdom, 

That  e'er  with  you  will  stay. 


193 


NATURE'S   LAWS 

IF  wound  is  made  by  nature  kind, 
She  gives  her  greatest  care 

The  wound  to  heal;  for  nature's  laws 
Are  perfect  everywhere. 

No  cut  so  deep  on  forest  tree, 

She  cannot  heal  in  time, 
Preparing  salve  from  rootlets  all, 

Nor  breaks  her  laws  sublime. 

And  nature  ever  watchful  is, 
She  spends  no  time  in  sleep, 

But  tends  with  care  each  bruise  or  cut, 
And  every  blemish  deep. 

Not  idle,  she,  at  any  time, 
But  works  with  care  and  skill, 

To  do  the  will  of  "  Nature's  God," 
And  e'er  with  love  doth  thrill. 

194 


NATURE'S    LAWS 

The  storm  may  break  on  land  or  sea, 

Like  demon,  fierce  and  wild; 
But  nature  knows  her  business  well, 

And  loves  the  earth,  her  child. 

She  knows  that  ever  sunshine  bright, 

Would  be  disaster  dire; 
That  storms  are  needed  on  the  earth, 

And  we  be  tried  by  fire. 

To  bring  the  world  to  highest  stage, 

To  give  to  life  its  power; 
For  if  there  were  but  peace  and  joy, 

And  never  storm-clouds  lower, 

So  weak  and  helpless  would  be  man, 

And  all  his  life  so  tame, 
That  naught  on  earth  would  e'er  be  wrought, 

And  life  an  empty  name. 

So  bless  the  clouds,  and  bless  the  storms, 

Bless  every  bruise  and  tear, 
Help  nature  in  her  laws  so  grand, 

Unjust  though  they  appear. 


195 


FRIENDSHIP 

CAN  salt  e'er  lose  its  savor? 

Can  friendship  e'er  be  dead? 
Can  hearts  be  broken  ever? 

Can  love  be  ever  fed 
From  jealous  springs  of  poison? 

Then  love  it  cannot  be, 
And  but  a  term  is  friendship, 

And  lost  its  purity. 


Love  true  is  strongly  welded, 

True  friendship  ne'er  is  lost, 
They  have  no  rhyme  nor  reason,. 

By  every  breeze  if  tossed. 
Love  true  can  think  no  evil, 

Can  ever  trust  its  mate, 
Will  never  think  of  doubting,. 

Its  trust  will  ne'er  abate. 

196 


FRIENDSHIP 

So  pure  is  ever  friendship, 

It  is  of  love  akin, 
And  without  one,  the  other 

Is  not,  nor  e'er  hath  been. 


Is  wedded,  Love,  to  Friendship, 

Is  now,  and  aye  hath  been; 
Divorced  they  can  be  never. 

True  Love  and  Friendship  win 
Respect  from  all  forever; 

Twin  sisters  true  are  they, 
So  like,  and  yet  so  unlike 

Are  they  in  every  way. 


197 


THE   MISER'S   MISTAKE 

THE  rush  and  the  struggle  after  wealth, 

Is  filling  the  hearts  of  all  men; 
But  when  it  is  gained  and  stored  in  a  vault, 

Although  it  be  millions,  what  then? 

The  lust  in  the  miser's  heart  for  wealth 
Is  driving  each  kind  thought  away, 

With  misery  filling  all  his  life, 

He  grows  more  metallic  each  day. 

Of  hunger  and  cold  the  world  is  full, 
Of  sick  and  of  sore-hearted  men, 

Which  he,  with  his  wealth,  ought  gladly  help, 
But  keeps  he  them  far  from  his  ken. 

He  cares  not  a  whit  for  aught  but  his  gold, 

His  coffers  are  full  of  his  greed; 
If  other's  are  poor,  what's  that  to  him? 

He  will  not  them  help  in  their  need. 

198 


THE    MISER'S    MISTAKE 

Oh!  why  does  the  miser  hoard  his  gold? 

No  pleasure  nor  good  can  he  gain, 
As  sorrow  to  him  can  only  come, 

For  gold  he  can  keep  not  a  grain. 

Nor  take  it,  can  he,  to  life  beyond, 

It's  only  the  good  he  has  done, 
The  lives  he  has  blessed,  the  hearts  made  glad, 

And  conquests  o'er  self  he  has  won, 

That  builds  in  the  land  beyond,  his  home, 
His  life  with  sweet  pleasures  unfold; 

That  home  with  his  life-work  furnished  is, 
Can  furnish  with  beauties  untold. 

Then  why  will  the  miser  make  home  drear? 

And  why  will  he  fill  it  with  greed  ? 
When  ever  he  helps  his  brother  man 

He's  sowing  and  garnering  seed. 

Which,  ever  in  future,  will  him  yield 

A  harvest  of  pleasure  and  peace, 
A  home  of  great  joy  and  beauty,  too, 

He  holding  Eternity's  lease. 

199 


FREEDOM 

THE  prisoned  bird  sings  joyous  notes 

Behind  its  prison  bars; 
But  sweeter  e'en  would  be  the  song 

If  caroled  to  the  stars. 
The  prisoned  soul  bursts  forth  in  song, 

It  seems  a  song  of  joy; 
But  ne'er  when  bound  by  error's  chains, 

Is  note  without  alloy. 


The  door  when  opened  for  the  bird, 

Will  give  it  freedom  sweet; 
When  error's  shackles  are  cast  off, 

The  soul  goes  forth  to  greet 
Sweet  truth,  who  flies  with  brilliant  wings, 

And  soars  e'en  to  the  skies; 
Each  day  to  it  new  truths  revealed, 

Each  day  for  more  it  cries. 

200 


FREEDOM 

It  looks  not  back,  nor  longs  for  cage, 

Since  knowing  Freedom's  light, 
Each  day  its  wings  will  stronger  grow, 

Of  bonds,  now  thinks  with  fright. 
No  morsel  sweet,  no  love  of  ease 

Will  tempt  it  one  step  back, 
To  look  again  within  its  cage, 

E'en  though  for  food  it  lack. 


It  loves  the  light,  it  loves  to  soar, 

With  no  restraining  hand; 
For  every  day  new  beauties  bring, 

Since  joining  Freedom's  band. 
O  soul!  O  spirit!  long  you've  been 

In  narrow  gilded  home, 
Strive  now  to  force  its  door  of  wires, 

And  free,  e'er  more  you  '11  roam. 


Then  as  a  bird  you'll  fly  aloft, 
No  dirgeful  song  you'll  sing, 

But  with  hosannas  loud  and  strong, 
Your  voice,  all  free,  will  ring. 

201 


FREEDOM 

Just  ope  the  door,  the  bird  will  fly, 

More  joyous  now  by  far 
Than  he  would  be,  with  Love,  though  bound 

Behind  a  gilded  bar. 

With  joy  he'll  flit  among  the  trees, 

And  ne'er  go  back  to  cage, 
Though  petted,  honored,  fed  with  care, 

Sweet  freedom,  now  his  wage. 
And  in  his  song  no  sad  refrain, 

He  likes  his  freedom  best; 
E'en  though  he  struggles  for  his  life, 

He  sings  in  Freedom's  nest. 

So  with  the  soul,  if  once  it  breaks 

The  bars  of  error's  cage, 
It  flies  aloft  with  strengthened  wings, 

O'er  error,  war  will  wage. 
It  struggled  hard  to  ope  the  door, 

And  gain  its  freedom  sweet; 
As  doubts  and  fears  are  overcome, 

It  joys  new  truths  to  meet. 


202 


EXPERIENCE 

IF  we  by  experience  could  learn, 
How  happy  would  then  be  our  lot; 

But  ever  and  aye,  though  we  build, 
E'en  then  there  will  little  be  wrought. 

For  every  experience  we  pay, 
Too  often  we  pay  with  our  tears, 

Will  ever  the  coin  be  redeemed  ? 
Or  are  we  too  far  in  arrears? 

Though  building  great  tombs,  by  mistakes, 
We  never  entombed  can  them  keep, 

They  spring  up  again  with  the  flowers, 
For  weeds  will  grow  fast  while  we  sleep. 

In  pruning  and  digging  'mong  flowers, 

Eradicate  we  many  weeds; 
But  in  every  package  of  good 

Is  discord  e'er  found  among  seeds. 

203 


EXPERIENCE 

We  profit  not  ever  by  past, 
Experience  comes  not  again, 

We  ever  new  lessons  must  learn, 
Too  often  must  learn  them  by  pain. 


204 


NEW   VERSION  OF  THE  SPIDER  AND 
FLY 

COQUETTISH  and  vain  was  a  fly, 

And  liked  to  be  admired, 
So  flew  around  a  spider's  web, 

And  to  his  love  aspired. 
Her  head  she  tossed,  she  shook  her  wings^ 

And  looked  in  through  his  door, 
She  sang  to  him  her  gayest  song, 

Her  sweetest  smile  she  wore. 

The  spider  old  and  nervous  was, 

A  staid  old  bachelor,  he, 
So  did  not  like  her  loving  ways; 

Much  shocked  he  was  to  see 
Miss  Fly  so  little  caution  have, 

Her  wit,  she  must  have  lost; 
He  slyly  peeped  from  out  his  door, 

His  legs  he  gravely  crossed. 

205 


THE    SPIDER    AND    FLY 

With  dignity  he  stroked  his  beard, 

Stepped  shyly  out  his  door, 
And  bowing  low  to  her,  he  spoke, 

A  look  so  wise  he  wore. 
So  very  quiet  was  his  life, 

A  caller  ne'er  had  he; 
So  when  Miss  Fly  came  dancing  in, 

He  asked  her  not  to  tea. 

But  soon  his  bashfulness  was  gone, 

He  soon  forgot  his  age, 
And  kissed  Miss  Fly  —  her  head  came  off, 

He  had  fly  soup,  I  wage. 
A  warning,  maidens  young,  to  you, 

Just  think  what  you're  about, 
Before  you  know  whither  you  go, 

To  grave  you'll  be  en  route. 


206 


LIFE'S   POSSIBILITIES 

LIFE'S  possibilities, 

How  far  they  do  reach, 
Began  they  'fore  life  e'en, 

And  ever  will  teach 
That  time,  nor  space,  ever 

Can  hinder  the  flight 
Of  soul's  capability 

Of  grasping  the  right. 


Life's  possibilities  — 

With  what  meaning  fraught, 
E'en  far  away  stretching 

Beyond  even  thought. 
To-day  we  look  forward 

To  riches  and  fame; 
We  meet  disappointments, 

So  high  is  our  aim. 

207 


LIFE'S    POSSIBILITIES 

But  yet  w.e  press  onward, 

And  knowing  full  well 
That  hope  is  our  safeguard, 

Back  turning,  the  knell 
Of  progress  and  knowledge, 

Of  hope  and  delight, 
Attaining  to  greatness, 

Or  gaining  the  light. 


The  depths,  too,  are  easy, 

To  fall  is  not  hard; 
So  stand  for  your  birthright, 

Your  honor  aye  guard. 
And  gird  on  the  armor 

Of  progress  and  right, 
And  ever  press  onward, 

With  courage  and  might. 


Life's  possibilities, 

How  grand  !     How  sublime  ! 
From  depths  of  despair,  e'en 

To  Almighty,  we  climb. 

208 


ALL   ALONE 

WE  'RE  in  a  crowd,  yet  all  alone; 

All  faces,  strange  to  see, 
Not  one  we  feel  to  call  a  friend, 

Nor  e'er  a  friend  can  be. 

We  're  in  a  land  of  strangers  all, 

Not  one  familiar  face; 
We  long  for  home  and  native  land, 

But  e'er  must  keep  in  pace 

With  weary  and  down-hearted  men 
The  ever-hurrying  crowd, 

Must  listen  to  their  voices  strange, 
To  us  so  harsh  and  loud. 

No  heart  for  us  is  beating  here 

In  this  procession  long; 
If  by  the  wayside  we  should  fall, 

No  tears  shed  by  the  throng. 

209 


ALL    ALONE 

But  other  ones  may  languish  here 

Among  these  busy  men, 
And  there  are  other  homesick  hearts, 

Although  beyond  our  ken. 

This  is  an  ever-changing  crowd, 

It  never  will  grow  less; 
We  never  meet  a  loved  one  here, 

No  one  our  lives  will  bless. 

We  gaze  upon  their  faces  strange, 

And  wonder  at  their  lives, 
Why  they  each  other  crowd  and  push, 

As  bees  in  crowded  hives. 

We  think  of  all  the  grief  and  sin 
That  may  their  lives  enshroud; 

We  think  how  few  of  happy  ones, 
Are  in  this  shitting  crowd. 

We  think  how  many  homeless  are, 

How  few  in  luxury  live; 
And  think  how  few  of  rich  ones  e'er 

Will  of  their  riches  give. 

210 


ALL    ALONE 

We  think  of  all  the  wretchedness 
That 's  lurking  in  this  throng; 

We  think  of  all  the  tempted  ones 
Who  pray  for  virtue  strong. 

A  lesson,  Life  to  us  can  teach, 
E'en  in  the  strangers'  land, 

And  lonely  we  need  never  be, 
But  help  on  every  hand. 

A  woman,  feeble,  old  and  weak, 
Comes  tottering  now  along, 

We  give  our  hand  now,  her  to  help, 
For  we  are  young  and  strong. 

A  little  child  has  fallen  down, 

We  help  it  on  its  feet; 
An  old  man  now  is  passing  by, 

With  smiles  we  will  him  greet. 

A  girl,  with  paint  and  powder  smirched, 

Is  tripping'  by  with  glee; 
We  drop  for  her  a  pitying  tear, 

For  sad  her  future  '11  be. 

211 


ALL    ALONE 

A  youth,  now  on  the  downward  grade, 

Comes  staggering  along, 
I  speak  a  word  of  hope  to  him, 

His  heart  is  not  all  wrong. 

So  e'en  among  the  jostling  crowd 
You  '11  something  find  to  do, 

Perhaps  in  future,  if  not  now, 

From  grief,  some  one  you'll  woo. 


212 


WHY   SHOULD    I   LIVE?" 


"WHY  should  I  live?"     Why  do  you  ask? 

The  answer  is  most  plain; 
God  hath  given  life  to  all, 

Though  less  of  joy  than  pain. 
In  the  beginning  there  was  God, 

His  plans  were  all  devised, 
And  life  was  part  of  the  grand  whole, 

There  's  nothing  been  revised. 


It  first  began  on  lowest  plane, 

Each  day  improvement  brings, 
At  last  perfection,  thus  the  law, 

Each  age  with  wisdom  rings, 
Until  at  last  in  God's  own  time, 

No  sin  there  '11  be  on  earth, 
For  every  parent,  knowing  law, 

Will  give  a  perfect  birth. 

213 


"WHY    SHOULD    I    LIVE?" 

Then  health,  with  love,  will  be  the  rule, 

Our  birthright  be  a  joy; 
With  bounding-  steps  and  happy  hearts, 

All  life  without  alloy. 
Then  ask  ye  not,  "Why  you  do  live?" 

Your  life  is  needed  here, 
Your  many  thoughts,  your  many  works, 

Should  give  to  some  sweet  cheer. 

You  are  a  part  of  God's  great  plan, 

And  if  your  life  were  not, 
A  lack  would  be  in  the  design, 

Imperfect,  then,  God's  thought. 
So  live  your  life  in  sweet  content, 

Though  weary  be  the  way; 
Know  then  that  you  are  needed  e'er, 

While  here  on  earth  you  stay. 


214 


REASON   CAME 

ONCE,  darkness  deep  was  in  my  soul, 

Deep  darkness,  as  the  night, 
Deep  bigotry  and  ignorance, 

Then  God  said,  "Be  there  light!" 
An  angel  came,  was  sent  by  Him, 

Who  touched  my  darkened  soul, 
Then   Reason  soon  began  to  teach, — 

Left  impress  on  my  soul. 

Oft  long  and  earnest  speech  had  we, 

I  long  with  Reason  fought, 
But  patiently  she  came  again, 

Each  time  in  brain  left  thought. 
Though  feverish  heat  filled  all  my  frame, 

I  could  not  drink  at  first; 
From  Reason's  fountain,  ever  full, 

I  feared  to  quench  my  thirst. 

Full  oft  I  dropped  the  bucket  down, 

It  covered  was,  by  moss, 
And  wet  by  tears  that  I  had  shed, — 

Tears  shed  for  every  loss 

215 


REASON    CAME 

Of  old  beliefs,  of  treasured  hopes 

Of  creeds,  which  now  must  go; 
If  I  of  Reason  make  a  friend, 

Of  bigot  I  make  foe. 

But  Reason,  like  a  flowing  well, 

Deep  down  in  heart  of  man, 
Is  fed  by  rivers  running  swift, 

In  heav'n  they  first  began. 
And  clearer  e'er  its  waters  are, 

The  deeper  down  you  sink 
Your  vessel  in  its  limpid  depths, 

If  you,  with  Reason  think. 

When  once  you  've  drunk  from  Reason's  well, 

You  '11  drink  again,  again; 
No  other  stream  will  quench  your  thirst, 

Though  try  you  oft;  'tis  vain 
To  think  as  you  once  thought  in  past, 

To  bring  back  old  belief, 
Emancipated  from  it  now, 

You  find  such  sweet  relief. 


216 


REASON   SPAKE  UNTO  ME 

No  mitered  bishop,  nor  high  priest, 

Can  make  my  heart  say  nay 
To  Reason,  on  her  high,  broad  throne, 

Who  speaks  to  me  each  day. 
She  speaks  to  me  in  silver  tones, 

She  speaks  to  heart  and  soul, 
She  speaks  in  language  understood 

By  man,  from  pole  to  pole. 

No  book  she  needs  to  teach  her  law, 

All  understand  her  tongue, 
It  echoes  e'er  throughout  all  lands, 

By  sweet-toned  bells  is  rung. 

0  Reason !  to  my  heart  you  tell 
A  story  sweet  and  true; 

A  story  that  is  ever  old, 
And  yet  is  ever  new. 

1  sing  thy  praise,  I  take  thy  hand, 

I  '11  make  of  thee  a  friend; 
Deceive  me,  thou  wilt  scorn  to  do. 
Wilt  listening  ear  aye  lend 

217 


REASON    SPAKE    UNTO    ME 

To  all  my  questions,  all  my  doubts, 

Nor  answer  e'er  amiss, 
For  Reason  ever  is  alert, 

To  be  with  her  is  bliss. 

She  doth  not  say,  Take  this  by  faith  ! 

And  that,  believe  thou  not ! 
She  says,  Thy  soul,  Oh  !  study  well, 

And  treasure  every  thought. 
But  weigh  thought  well,  and  ne'er  accept 

'Thout  Reason  places  stamp, 
Emblazons  on  it  her  high  seal, 

Be  to  your  soul  a  lamp 

Whose  brilliant  light  cannot  be  hid, 

A  beacon  't  is  to  you; 
Will  light  your  life-ship  on  its  way, 

Will  teach  you,  e'er  to  do 
What  God  intends  that  you  should  do, 

And  Reason  is  the  seal 
He  places  on  the  brow  of  man, 

His  precepts  to  reveal. 


218 


SUNSHINE   AND   SHADOW 

WE  'RE  in  the  shadow,  but  the  sunshine 

E'er  is  breaking  through  the  clouds; 
We  're  in  the  shadow  of  a  sorrow, 

And  deep  darkness  all  enshrouds. 
For  not  a  ray  to  us  seems  coming, 

Yet  we  know  the  clouds  will  break, 
And  soon  the  sun  in  fullest  glory 

Will  shine  forth,  and  will  awake 


The  birds  so  sweet  to  joyous  singing, 

All  the  flowers  ope  their  eyes, 
And  all  the  beasts  unite  in  gladness, 

Man,  the  chorus  joins,  if  wise. 
We  're  in  the  shadow,  yet  in  sunshine, 

In  the  darkness,  in  the  gloom; 
We  're  in  despair,  yet  feeling,  knowing 

In  the  sunshine  there  is  room 

219 


SUNSHINE    AND    SHADOW 

For  all  mankind,  who  wish  to  grasp  it; 

For  all  nature  sings  the  song, 
Give  glory  unto  God  the  highest, 

Blessed  be  the  heavenly  throng. 
Sit  not  in  darkness  and  in  sorrow, 

There  's  bright  sunshine  everywhere, 
But  yet  the  shadows  all  are  needed, 

A  life  picture  to  prepare. 


For  all  of  life  is  as  a  picture, 

Here  a  flower,  there  a  thorn, 
And  here  the  evening  shades  are  deepening, 

There  the  rosy  tint  of  morn. 
The  picture,  then,  would  lose  its  beauty, 

Were  but  flowers  on  it  strewn, 
And  e'er  be  flat,  if  o'er  its  surface 

Only  shone  the  light  of  noon, 


Then  know  the  shadow  is  as  lovely 

In  the  landscape,  in  the  life, 
As  e'er  the  brightness,  e'er  the  high-light, 

For  the  struggle  and  the  strife 

220 


SUNSHINE    AND    SHADOW 

Will  bring  out  beauties  never  thought  of, 
Round  out  life  with  victories  won; 

And  aye  are  needed,  always,  ever, 
And  the  world  will  gaze  upon 


This  picture  made  of  lights  and  shadows, 

Made  of  colors  brighter  dull, 
The  beauties  oft  in  shadows  deepen, 

Flowers  sweet,  from  grief  we  cull. 
And  from  the  lanes,  and  from  the  by-ways, 

From  the  gardens  rich  in  thought, 
And  rich  in  perfume,  rich  in  fragrance, 

By  the  gay  yet  never  sought. 


And  so  the  shadows  are  as  lovely 

As  the  brightest  sunlit  view, 
And  as  they  deepen  in  the  half-tones, 

Will  to  light  bring  something  new. 
In  all  of  life,  and  in  the  picture, 

Making  both  full  and  complete, 
And  making  both  seem  things  of  beauty, 

And  our  lives  more  rare  and  sweet. 


221 


SUNSHINE    AND    SHADOW 

So  rest  in  shadow,  work  in  sunshine, 

Thus  our  life-work  will  be  done, 
For  there  is  need  of  both  for  soul-growth, 

Both  the  moonlight  and  the  sun. 
Tears  follow  smiles  in  quick  succession, 

Grief  and  joy  each  other  crowd, 
And  light  and  shade,  ne'er  weary  phantoms, 

Wrap  us  in  a  ghostly  shroud. 

For  here  's  a  high-light,  there  a  shadow, 

Here  a  half-tone,  peaceful,  sweet, 
And  here  a  middle  tint  of  beauty, 

Here  the  cooling  shade  we  meet. 
Then  farewell  sunshine,  farewell  shadow, 

Farewell  smiles,  and  farewell  tears; 
Then  farewell  joy,  and  farewell  sorrow, 

Good,  to  us,  all  appears. 


222 


"ASK   WHAT   THOU   WILT" 

"  ASK  what  thou  wilt,"  but  do  not  think 
That  God  will  change  His  laws 

To  grant  thy  wish,  to  please  thy  heart; 
Before  you  ask,  then,  pause. 

"Ask  what  thou  wilt,"  but  though  you  sue 

For  bread,  you  '11  get  a  stone, 
Unless  you  work  and  ever  do 

What  in  your  way  is  thrown. 

"Ask  what  thou  wilt,"  no  one  can  say 

You  have  not  right  this  to  do, 
But  do  not  ask  with  humbled  hearts, 

As  beggar,  do  not  sue. 

"Ask  what  thou  wilt,"  but  man  must  work 

For  food,  and  raiment,  too, 
For  shelter  and  for  all  he  has; 

Though  birds  are  clothed,  't  is  true. 

223 


"ASK    WHAT    THOU    WILT" 

"  Ask  what  thou  wilt,"  ask  not  for  wealth, 

It  will  not  come  to  thee. 
"  Ask  what  thou  wilt,"  ask  not  for  health, 

Health  perfect  cannot  be. 

"Ask  what  thou  wilt,"  but  not  for  home, 

Nor  ask  you  now  for  land; 
Nor  ask  ye  not  for  horses  fine, 

Nor  yet  magician's  wand. 

"  Ask  what  thou  wilt,"  but  not  for  friends, 

Nor  must  you  ask  for  fame; 
And  ask  ye  not  for  happiness, 

You  '11  have  it  but  in  name. 


224 


THE  TWIN   OAKS  OF  "SUNNY  BRAE 

Two  mighty  oaks  for  centuries  stood, 

Twin  brothers,  born  of  God; 
As  monuments  of  His  great  love, 

Their  boughs  with  reverence  nod. 
As  time  rolled  by,  one  stood  beneath 

Their  branches  wide  and  grand, 
To  dedicate  these  old,  old  oaks; 

Blessed  them,  an  angel  band. 


O  "Temple  Oak,"  in  memory  sweet 

Of  him,  the  one  so  dear; 
Pure  benedictions  rest  on  all 

Who  visit  these  each  year. 
The  oaks  respond  to  loving  words, 

In  whispers  low  and  sweet, 
All  ears  attuned  to  these  love-notes, 

With  reverence  deep  them  greet. 

225 


THE  TWIN  OAKS  OF  "SUNNY  BRAE" 

The  morning  stars  together  sing, 

The  evening  stars  respond, 
All  nature's  glorious  symphony 

United  in  one  bond 
Of  loving  songs,  and  language  dear, 

And  others  feel  and  know 
That  God  is  love,  that  they,  His  thought; 

And  ever  nearer  grow 

To  perfect  law,  and  sing  His  praise 

In  anthems  soft  and  low, 
And  some  in  solemn  requiem  give 

Their  praise  to  God,  I  know. 
Then  to  these  oaks  grand  anthems  ring, 

Beneath  their  branches  wide; 
Long  may  the  spirit  of  this  home 

In  health  and  peace  abide. 


226 


MY   DREAM 

THE  beautiful  day  with  golden  wings, 
Flies  ever  too  fast,  when  joy  it  brings; 
When  trouble  doth  come  it  slowly  drags, 
As  bird  of  ill-omen,  then  it  lags. 

The  beautiful  day  with  sunshine  bright, 
Fills  happy  hearts  all,  with  much  delight; 
But  seemeth  to  mock  hearts  filled  with  woe, 
And  in  their  sad  lives  deep  shadows  throw. 

E'en  flowers  seem  happy  on  sunny  days, 
With  laughter,  the  birds  then  sing  sweet  lays, 
And  music  seems  all  the  air  to  fill, 
E'er  causing  our  hearts  with  joy  to  thrill. 

O  joyous,  bright  sunshine,  happy  day, 
Come  into  your  lives,  and  with  you  stay; 
And  shadows  too  dark  now  take  their  flight, 
Bright  sunshine  be  yours,  never  the  night. 

227 


STEP   OUT    OF   MY    SUNSHINE 

OH,  friend,  thou  step  out  of  my  sunshine, 
There  's  plenty  of  sunshine  for  all, 

For  ordered,  hath  God,  the  bright  sunlight 
On  just  and  the  unjust  to  fall. 

The  shadows  may  be  all  too  heavy, 
Thus  chilling  the  soul  and  the  heart; 

But  shadows  e'er  follow  the  sunshine, 
They  seem  of  the  sunlight  a  part. 

From  shadow,  but  step,  is  the  sunshine, 
But  step  between  sorrow  and  joy, 

But  breath  between  smiling  and  weeping, 
Made  stronger  is  gold  by  alloy. 

From  palace,  but  step,  to  the  cottage, 
But  step,  between  rich  and  the  poor; 

'Tween  evil  and  good  is  line  narrow,— 
That  evil  there  is,  we  deplore. 

228 


STEP    OUT    OF    MY    SUNSHINE 

Oh,  friend,  step  thou  out  of  my  sunshine, 
You  need  not  to  shadow,  though,  go, 

For  sunshine  will  follow  your  pathway, 
And  happiness  follow  your  woe. 

Oh,  friend,  step  thou  out  of  my  sunshine, 
And  find  for  yourself  a  bright  ray, 

For  ever  there's  sunshine  full  plenty 
To  brighten  the  gloomiest  day. 

Oh,  friend,  step  thou  out  of  my  sunshine, 
I'd  share  it  most  gladly  with  you, 

If  there  was  but  one  gleam  of  sunlight  — 
For  that  thou  wouldst  never  need  sue. 

So,  friend,  step  thou  out  of  my  sunshine, 
To  pleadings,  I  pray  you  take  heed, 

For  life  is  now  dark  and  so  gloomy, 
Bright  sunshine  to-day  I  much  need. 

There's  sunshine  in  hearts  of  all  peoples, 
And  life-giving  warmth  hath  it  e'er 

To  brighten  the  life,  and  make  happy 
All  homes,  though  they  dark  may  appear. 

229 


LOOKING-GLASS   REFLECTIONS 

As  sitting  one  day  'fore  a  looking  glass, 

In  such  an  unhappy,  drear  mood, 
And  thinking  how  little  there  was  in  life, 

So  much  more  of  bad  than  good; 
In  looking  far  back  on  my  life  so  drear, 

I  thought  then  how  little  of  joy, 
How  much  of  distress  and  misery  dire, 

And  so  much  of  dross  and  alloy. 

When  chancing  to  glance  for  a  moment  up, 

My  face  I  saw  furrowed  with  tears; 
The  glass  was  reflecting  such  bitter  woe, 

I  seemed  to  have  aged  many  years. 
So  gruesome  reflection  presented  there, 

A  smile  spread  all  o'er  my  sad  face, 
Which    chased    soon    away    the    wrinkles  and 
gloom, 

Thus  showing  a  few  lines  of  grace. 

230 


LOOKING-GLASS   REFLECTIONS 

The  thought  to  my  mind  came  rushing  now  in, 

That  face  that  doth  show  signs  of  woe, 
No  more  as  a  blot  should  deface  God's  earth, 

Thus  spreading  e'er  gloom  where  I  go. 
So  looking  around  for  some  happy  thought, 

I  quickly  found  happiness  within, 
Sufficient  to  chase  all  the  gloom  away, 

And  happier  since  have  I  been. 

All  earth  is  a  mirror,  which  ever  doth  show 

A  grief-stricken  face  or  sweet  smile; 
Each  friend  that  we  meet  reflects  all  our  moods, 

Then  let  us  with  smiles  them  beguile. 
Again,  when  we  peer  in  looking-glass  bright, 

Remember,  we  must,  what  is  seen, 
That  ever  it  shows  bright  smiles,  or  drear  woe, 

Reflects  back  our  smiles  or  grief  keen. 


231 


MEMORIES 

BY  a  shelving  rock  in  pasture, 

Where  the  fern  and  ivy  grow, 
Is  a  spring  of  ice-cold  water, 

On  one  side  is  bending  low 
Weeping-willow,  swaying  ever 

Its  green  branches  to  and  fro, 
And  the  birds  are  singing  sweetly, 

All  unmindful  of  the  woe 

Which  around  them  is  forever, 

Which  is  now  and  e'er  hath  been 
Long  as  man  on  earth  hath  bided, 

And  the  world  is  filled  with  sin. 
I  remember  well  the  cowslips, 

And  the  flags  in  brook  near  by; 
Also  pine  woods  in  the  distance, 

Hemlock,  spruce,  and  fir  trees  high. 

At  recess,  I  well  remember 

Running  down  the  lane  with  joy, 

For  a  draught  of  ice-cold  water, 
Life  was  then  without  alloy. 

232 


MEMORIES 

I  can  hear  the  cattle  lowing, 

And  the  bees'  low  buzz  and  hum; 

I  can  hear  the  birds'  sweet  singing, 
And  the  sheep  as  home  they  come. 

In  my  dreams  I  hear  them  ever, 

They  to  mind  bring  childhood's  days, 
Father,  mother,  and  the  teacher 

To  her  pupils  singing  lays, 
Or  to  them  the  primer  reading, 

And  the  Bible  in  low  tones; 
Oft  with  words  of  sharp  reproving 

To  the  scholars  who  were  drones. 

Oh!  the  dreams  I  e'er  am  dreaming, 

Of  my  home  in  "  Pine-Tree  State," 
I  so  long  to  see  my  loved  ones, 

Will  my  longings  ne'er  abate? 
Oh!  the  dreams  of  childhood's  pleasures 

In  my  heart  will  e'er  hold  sway; 
I  forget  the  griefs  and  sorrows, 

But  I  hold  the  joys  alway. 


233 


A    MESSAGE 

GOD  sent  me  to  earth  a  visit  to  make, 

I  came  by  direction,  made  no  mistake; 

A  message  I  bring  direct  from  His  throne  — 

"To  live  a  pure  life," — He  doth  not  condone 

One  sin  you  commit,  no  matter  how  small; 

He  never  forgives,  though  loud  be  your  call. 


Your  work  you  must  do,  as  God  now  directs,. 
And  do  it  yourself,  none  other  elects 
To  fill  e'er  your  place,  or  bear  your  least  sin,. 
Your  life  must  be  pure,  outside  and  within. 
God  gave  me  this  law  to  give  unto  you, 
So  when  you  pass  on  that  nothing  you'll  rue; 
This  message  now  take,  as  given,  I  pray, 
And  all  of  God's  laws  try  to  obey. 

234 


A    MESSAGE 

My  visit  is  made,  my  message  accept, 

For  sins  too  many,  the  Christ-child  has  wept; 

The  Christ-child  is  Love,  Humanity  deep, 

And  ever  is  watchful,  never  doth  sleep. 

I  go  now  away,  shall  never  return; 

This    warning   from   God,    oh!    pray   do  not 

spurn, 
For  angels  are  watching  your  life  and  your 

work; 
While  living  on  earth,  no  duty  e'er  shirk. 


235 


IT    IS   FINISHED 

IT  now  is  finished,  the  work  is  done, 
Will  friends  accept  it,  and  critics  shun? 
Will  it  give  comfort,  or  turn  from  sin 
Some  mortal  poor,  who  will  now  begin 
His  loss  to  feel,  and  to  know  his  gain, 
Then  leave  his  past  and  begin  again  ? 
If  one  is  helped,  it  may  die  disgraced, 
Be  flung  to  winds,  or  by  critics  chased. 

To  help,  its  work,  and  if  that  is  done, 

For  death  it's  ready,  its  race  is  run; 

The   one   that's    helped   will    now    help  his 

friend, 

Begin  a  circle  —  it  doth  not  end, 
But  will  grow  larger  as  time  goes  on, 
Until  from  well-doing  peace  is  won. 
Then  go,  my  child,  and  do  what  you  can, 
E'en  though   sharp    critics   pronounce   their 

ban. 

236 


11  The  Moving  Finger  writes;  and,  having 
Moves  on:  nor  all  thy  Piety  nor  Wit 

Shall  lure  it  back  to  cancel  half  a  Line, 
Xor  all  thy  Tears  wash  out  a  Word  of  it. 


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